Larry Grovum has been a Door-to-Door canvasser and Area Captain for five years now. In that time, he’s raised a remarkable $5,512.05 on his own. As Area Captain, Larry is also the driving force behind his entire zone – not only does he support his fellow canvassers, he also takes over many of the un-canvassed routes in his area.
As if that weren’t enough, Larry doesn’t wait for the weather to cooperate before he starts.
When you get out in bad weather, Larry explains in an email interview, ‘people read this as commitment and give more.’ But, he adds, you can’t take rejection personally. ‘Some will give, and some won’t. Thank people for their time and move on.’
Asked why he started canvassing in the first place, Larry replies: ‘I wanted to give a helping hand to people living with disabilities. I continue, because the need continues.’
In his half-decade of canvassing, Larry has enjoyed some memorable moments. One gentleman had been approached by four or five canvassers for other organizations that same day, but still gave Larry $20. Another refused to answer when Larry knocked on the door of his very expensive home. ‘But,’ as Larry observes, ‘it takes all kinds to make a world.’
The people who impress him most, he says, are the university students. ‘They’re generally poor, but they scurry around, searching for change, then apologize for not being able to give more.’
If you’re interested in volunteering as a canvasser, please email us at info@marchofdimes.ca with “Door-2-Door Volunteer” in the subject header!
Peterborough resident Wayne Eastabrook has been canvassing his neighbourhood in support of March of Dimes Canada’s Door-to-Door Campaign for over a decade. He was first driven to support the Campaign after the organization provided financial assistance to his daughter Kate that allowed her to move into her own apartment.
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