The day you don’t do something to someone who can never repay you is day wasted
Charity fundraising has been a significant part of my life since 2002, after losing my younger brother to drugs and alcohol. His loss inspired me to dedicate my efforts to helping others and making a positive impact - I saw and approached life in a completely alternative way. Over the years, I’ve raised over $350,000 for various causes and personally funded and built kindergarten classroom in rural Sri Lanka and donated 10 wheel chairs for chiildren with epilepsy
I was one of the founding members of the CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) Committee of Accenture Canada and raised funds for various charities and received the “leadership award for outstanding contribution to the community” three years in a row. In recognition of my efforts on pioneering fund-raising projects, in 2010 The Japan Foundation invited me to join a panel for public discussion of Charity Fund Raising Challenges in Japan.
In 2009, I’ve cycled from Tokyo to Sapporo over 12 days under the banner of “Ride for A Dream” to raise funds to build an extension to a school for deaf children (Meisei Gakkuin) in Tokyo. In the following year (2010) I organized and rode 7 days long “Second Annual Ride for A Dream” from Tokyo to Osaka and raise funds to upgrade facilities at the same school (Meisei Gakkuin).
Terry Fox Fundraising Campaign and Run
2005 & 2006
(Funds Raised: CAD$ 138,000)
Knights in White Lycra - 2015 Friendship Ride
Tokyo to Ichinoseki 4-Day 550km
(Co-organized and participated)
Ride for A Dream - 2009 Fundraising Ride
Tokyo to Sapporo 12-day 1250km
(Funds Raised: $ 42,000)
In Memory of 3/11 Awareness Ride - 2012
Tokyo to Minamisanriku 620km
(Organized, led and participated)
Ride for A Dream - 2010 Fundraising Ride
Tokyo to Osaka 6-day 720km
(Funds Raised: $ 24,000)
Around The Pearl Fundraisng Ride - 2015
Around Sri Lanka10-day 1400km
(Participated)
Disclaimer: All of my charity fundraising cycling expeditions and events are self-supported and self-funded, with the exception of some individuals, hotels and restaurants which have provided me with food and lodgings in support of my charity efforts. Typically I asked people, organizations and sponsors to donate money directly to the charities I work with through their existing fund raising infrastructure. Consequently, every single penny goes directly to the charity organizations. I take great care when choosing charity organizations to work with and I don’t raise funds for charity organizations with paid management layers.
“The 12-day bike ride that began April 24 and finished on May 5 was headed by Give A Dream A Chance Charity’s founder, Don Kalubowila, a Sri Lankan-born Canadian national who initiated the project three months ago with the help of his coworkers.”
- The Japan Times, Tuesday May 19, 2009