Today I’m going to talk about some key projects we’re working on this week, plus some amazing contests where you can win cash prizes!

First up, is our Tribute Campaign.

If you haven’t heard of Tribute, it’s a company that uses technology that helps people share appreciation, love and support through video.

It was actually co-founded by my friend Andrew who I knew when I lived in New York City, and it’s become a really popular way to send positive messages to people.

The idea for Tribute came when his girlfriend at the time reached out to 20 of his closest friends and family members to send a video birthday message to him. This gift sparked the idea for Tribute.

Oh and by the way, they are now married and have a little boy named Hiro!

Here at Heritage Mississauga we have started our own Tribute campaign to help you stay in touch with the seniors you love.

Stay Safe, Stay in Touch was the theme for Seniors Month in June and during the COVID pandemic our seniors have been greatly impacted with many in isolation unable to receive many visitors.

We would like to bring some joy to seniors throughout Mississauga and we need your help.

Heritage Mississauga will be gathering video tributes of people sending well wishes and greetings to our seniors.

Video tributes can include a general hello to seniors or can have a personal message to a senior that you believe would like to receive a positive message. Grandchildren are greatly encouraged to send personalized video greetings to their grandparents.

Also, if you’re a senior you can take part to! You can record your own video, and say something to someone you haven’t seen in awhile.

Heritage Mississauga will gather the video tributes, compile them and send out the tribute video with the greetings submitted.

Please join us as we share a smile with our wonderful senior communities in Mississauga.
I will put the link below this video where you can send in a tribute.

Next up, I want to talk to you about our Apart Together Stories initiative.

Heritage Mississauga, Mississauga Arts Council, Mississauga Writers Group and Peel Weekly News have all joined together to start up a new writing contest this summer. Now is the time to write about how people in Mississauga are surviving the pandemic.

In 500 words, we want you to tell us your story. Make it part of our history. Select stories will be published in Peel Weekly News and saved in the archives of Heritage Mississauga.

In addition the Mississaugas Writers Group is producing their annual anthology where your story could be published for everyone to see.

Also you’re eligible to win three cash prizes!
Mississauga Arts Council is offering 1st place $250, 2nd place $150 and third place $100.

To share your story, contact us directly on social media or send to [email protected].

And finally… What would you do with $1000?

The National Trust for Canada is giving away a total of $2000 in support of Canada’s Historic Places Day.
This year, as many of Canada’s historic places remain closed to the public, and social distancing measures are put in place, they’ve set up new ways for everyone to celebrate and share in virtual visits online.

From July 4th until July 31st, they are encouraging digital selfies via their website: www.historicplacesday.ca.
Simply choose one of the participating historic places and use the button featured on the online “Places” page, or download/print an image provided by the site to include in your own selfie creation.

To enter the contest, post your selfie on social media with the hashtag #historicplacesday, tag the historic place, and tag and follow @nationaltrustca.

Your selfie will be placed in a random draw to win $1000 for yourself and $1000 for the site that you tagged! You can post one selfie per day.

Post your photo on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.
To learn more about this contest – I will drop the link below this video in the comments.

Now before I go, I want to remind you of our line-up of content.
On Wednesday (Tomorrow) – We have our Way Back Wednesday article and blog post.

On Thursday – We have our “Ask A Historian” with Matthew where he will answer your questions. Today would have been the Lakeview Block Party, so in honour of that, he will be answering some questions about Lakeview, so stay tuned for that.

And on Saturday – We have our “Matinee Movie” streamed on YouTube.

Heritage Mississauga continues to be THE SOURCE about the history of our city as we research, record and celebrate the diverse heritage of Mississauga.