Blood Drives Toronto

The Bloom Collective (TBC)

Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman #TBC 1

🩸 Volunteering: Blood Donation

We invite you to join our blood donation initiative! Your contribution could help save someone’s life. ❤️ Donating blood might seem complicated at first, but good news, we’ve already figured everything out for you and reserved comfortable chairs and the friendliest nurses for our group. 😊 ❗ **Important!** To participate, **your English level must be at least Intermediate.** You need to be able to understand basic health-related questions in English without Google Translate, which will be included in the questionnaire. **Register on [TryToronto website](https://trytoronto.org/events/blood-donation-sep)** 📋 **What you need to do:** 1. Follow the link and check if you’re eligible to donate: [https://myaccount.blood.ca/en/eligibility-quiz](https://myaccount.blood.ca/en/eligibility-quiz) 2. Create an account on the website in the top right corner. 3. Be sure to register for the event using the button below; we’ll send you a notification with the pickup location and other details. ✅ **Important before donating blood:** * Eat a hearty breakfast * Drink plenty of fluids * Take your ID card ❗ * Avoid strenuous physical activity 2–3 days before and after ❌ **You cannot donate blood if:** * You attended a party with alcohol yesterday * You’ve recently had anemia (take care of yourself first!) * Your doctor has advised against it **Let’s make the world a better place together!** ⏰ **Duration:** 10:00 AM to 10:35 AM (please arrive a little early) 💬 **Coordinator:** Kate 💜 **Participation is free** ⚠️ **Only 5 spots available. register on [TryToronto website](https://trytoronto.org/events/blood-donation-sep)** **Our Instagram: [@try_toronto_](https://www.instagram.com/try_toronto_)**

Riverdale Park 5K Run / Walk / Jog

5K every week till the snows come down! Or try to! We'll meet by the track. I'll be there early to warm up. We will start the 5K exactly at 9:30am. As mentioned in the About Us, * Using the park track we can all go at our own pace and never really be left behind unless we all finish way ahead of you. :D I think an hour is enough time to dedicate to the run. I'm pretty slow, so you will likely have me around for most of the hour. * Members are free to leave the run whenever they want. * Bring your kids, your pets, your partners, etc. * All encouraged to stick around afterwards and enjoy the park or neighbourhood on your own. * Let's get stronger, healthier and foster a great community at the same time. We also welcome runners who are not in our neighbourhood and want to join us spiritually and run from their own neighbourhoods. :-) Imagine how much healthier and communal the world would be if we all stopped for an hour once in a while to run together; re-centring and re-charging together?

Transportation to Toronto!

Polish Festival

We will be going to the Polish festival on Roncesvalles where there will be plenty of entertainment on 4 stages, vendors, music buskers, bands, cafes, bakeries and much more. We will walk through the festival together and Richard will point out interesting food stores then leave you to look through it on your own. Bring smiles and water. Be on time as Richard doesn't wait long. We request a $2 donation which we give to the Scott Mission for the disadvantaged. Please pay the amount in cash when you arrive. Check it out at www.polishfestival.ca

Building Hope Gala Dinner

The Shalom Catholic Community in Toronto is hosting a Building Hope Gala Dinner to raise funds for the construction of the Espaço Educativo de Paz (Educational Space for Peace) in Lubango, Angola. [Register here ](https://www.zeffy.com/en-CA/ticketing/building-hope-gala-dinner) Lubango is home to many families living in extreme poverty. The Shalom mission there currently serves the local community through prayer groups, home visits, and the distribution of food to approximately 30 families. One of the greatest challenges the missionaries face is the lack of a safe and dedicated space where children and youth can gather, learn, and grow. Access to even basic medical care is also very limited. The Espaço Educativo de Paz will provide a place of hope for approximately 80 children and adolescents. It will offer educational support, vocational training, faith formation, recreational activities, and a health post to meet basic medical needs. By attending the gala dinner—or by making a donation—you can help make this project a reality and offer these young people a brighter future.

Singles Social Run (4k run + drinks)

**Important:** **RSVP’ing on Meetup does not reserve your spot.** **To join this experience, you must sign up through [app.cinders.dating](https://app.cinders.dating/eventDetails?eventRef=FmPIkeri71I4wwc5rDIF&utm_source=meetup). Only confirmed guests will receive the exact location and details.** For people looking to run away from their married friends and run with other singles 🏃‍♀️ We’re doing a casual 4K through downtown Toronto, where every single person there is, in fact, a single person. Afterwards, we meet for drinks and the party continues. 🍻 What to know who you might be compatible with? Simply complete your Cinders profile, and find out who your mystery matches are at the social 👀 **Details** 📅 Sunday, Sept 13 at 12pm 🏃 4K, starting and ending in Liberty Village. Exact meeting spot shared with confirmed guests a few days before the run 🍻 Post-run social 💘 Optional AI matchmaking for dates & friend matches 👥 Singles in their mid-20s & 30s, balanced gender 🎟️ $5 to register **How to sign up** [Sign up through cinders.dating](https://app.cinders.dating/eventDetails?eventRef=FmPIkeri71I4wwc5rDIF&utm_source=meetup). Only confirmed guests will receive the location details.

GO Train Hike - Unionville/Markham

he villages of Unionville & Markham are connected by the Rouge Valley Trail System following the Rouge River and running behind the historic buildings on Main Street Unionville, by Walden Pond in Austin Drive Park, through Milne Dam Conservation Area, and ending with a 143 metre long suspension bridge over the dam. We will walk into the village of Markham and finish with a short boardwalk trail through Tannery Pond which is close to the Markham GO Station. We begin the hike at Unionville GO Station hiking north to the historic Main Street and picking up the Rouge Valley Trail at Carlton Road. Return to Toronto or the starting point by GO Train or York Region Transit bus. Optional stop at the Rouge River Craft Brewery after the hike. Terrain is easy, mostly paved path/boardwalk with some dirt trails. On The Go Maps Link: [https://onthegomap.com/s/g5rhpj1s](https://onthegomap.com/s/g5rhpj1s) Bring lunch, water, snacks, hat. and insect repellant. Please register on the Bruce Trail Conservancy website at: [https://hikes.brucetrail.org/event/go-train-hike-unionville-markham-rouge-river-trail-2/2026-09-13/](https://hikes.brucetrail.org/event/go-train-hike-unionville-markham-rouge-river-trail-2/2026-09-13/)

Wednesday Pack Party

Every Wednesday at 6:00p.m.-8:00p.m., Not Just Tourists gathers in Roncesvalles United Church to sort and bag medical supplies to be used in the preparation of suitcases for tourists! If you're looking to give back, connect with others in the community looking to make a difference and to have a good time doing it, we are welcoming to any and all. 214 Wright Ave, Toronto, ON M6R 2L6 [https://maps.app.goo.gl/tSt6yNexDw4ymTNc6](https://maps.app.goo.gl/tSt6yNexDw4ymTNc6)

Dinner at Bar Butcher | Gastropub

Jewish and Filipino Bathurst Street + blind bagel tasting (6.75 km)

Bathurst Street is the historic home of Jewish communities in Toronto, starting with Kensington Market, then moving north to St Clair Ave West and then all the way to Richmond Hill. While we won't hike the whole street, we'll visit the heart at Bathurst St and Ranee Ave. With several bagel bakeries around, let's do a blind tasting to find the best. Close by, a Little Manila has developed around Bathurst St and Wilson Ave. It's not the only Filipino hub in Toronto but it's the most famous one. Wander through carinderias (hot tables) and grocery stores. **Highlights** 1. Bathurst and Lawrence northeast corner (depart 2:30pm) 2. United Bakers Dairy Restaurant 3. Phat Kaphrao 4. Bubby's New York Bagels / Haymishe Bakery / Savours Fresh Market 5. FK Dulce Bakery / Nozomi / Gryfe's (depart 3:10pm) 6. Grodzinski Bakery / Kosher City Plus / Tinuno / Soul Bagel 7. Shaarei Tefillah 8. Bathurst-Wilson Parkette (depart 3:45pm) 9. Wilson's Haus of Lechon / Bagel World / Harina Bakeshoppe 10. The South African Store 11. Richmond Kosher Bakery 12. Beth David Synagogue 13. Holocaust Memorial 14. Earl Bales Ski and Snowboard Centre 15. Earl Bales Community Centre (arrive 4:55pm) **Neighbourhoods** Lawrence Heights > Ledbury Park > Lawrence Manor > Armour Heights > Clanton Park **Map** [https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1WRVGV7v8KyLlZf1cYDVL2KoWdwlrZds&usp=sharing](https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1WRVGV7v8KyLlZf1cYDVL2KoWdwlrZds&usp=sharing) **How it works** Hike starts punctually. Late or can't do the whole route? Meet us at scheduled checkpoints. We'll browse many food places but won't linger long. See the route in advance, organize takeout, then pickup along the way. Optional bagel tasting at the end of hike, outside Earl Bales Community Centre. * Blind tasting of sesame and/or poppy seed bagels from 6 bakeries. * Small portions. 1/8 to 1/16 of a bagel. * Rate them online. * $2. No refunds after orders are placed. Payment on the day of event by cash or e-transfer to globaltorontoeats@gmail.com. Exact change preferred. * Sign up for the bagel tasting at the start of the hike. If you're joining us after that, e-transfer before 2:30pm to guarantee food. **Limited cutlery and no plates provided**. Highly recommended to bring your own cutlery and containers for bringing back leftovers. See our [About section](https://www.meetup.com/hike-to-eat/) for more info.

🚐 Doors Open London Road Trip + Chuck's Roadhouse

🚐 **Doors Open London Road Trip!** **Sunday, September 20** Let’s hit the road and make a day of it! We’re heading to **[Doors Open London](https://www.londonheritage.ca/doorsopenlondon)** for a fun, curiosity-fuelled adventure exploring buildings and spaces that are usually closed to the public. **A little context:** Nick has been a **Doors Open Toronto volunteer for over two decades** (yep, a true Doors Open nerd in the best way 😄) and genuinely loves checking out how other cities do it. London is packed with history, beautiful architecture, and some surprising hidden gems—perfect for a Doors Open day trip. *** ### 🏛️ What is Doors Open? If you’ve never been before, Doors Open is an **annual, free architectural and cultural event** where cities open the doors to historic, cultural, and behind-the-scenes spaces. Think heritage buildings, churches, civic spaces, theatres, old industrial sites, and more—often with tours, guides, or special access you wouldn’t normally get. 👉 [https://www.londonheritage.ca/doorsopenlondon](https://www.londonheritage.ca/doorsopenlondon) *** ### 🗓️ The Plan * **Departure:** 8:00 AM from just outside **Christie Station** * **NOTE - Subway doesn't start until 8AM on Sunday so plan accordingly** * **Transportation:** Rental minivan * **Destination:** Doors Open London * **Lunch stop:** **Chuck’s Roadhouse** * **Return to Toronto:** Around **6:30 PM**, traffic depending *** ### 🍔 Food & Drink * Lunch will be at **[Chuck’s Roadhouse](https://chucksroadhouse.com/menu/)** * **You are responsible for your own food and drink purchases** *** ### 💰 Cost **$60 round-trip** This covers: * Car rental * Insurance * Fuel **It does NOT cover your food or drinks** To secure your spot, all participants must e-transfer $60 to: nicolasbello@yahoo.com Spots are limited based on vehicle capacity, so please RSVP only if you’re able to commit. *** ### 🎒 What to Bring * Comfortable walking shoes * Curiosity & good vibes * A little patience for traffic (it’s part of the road-trip charm) *** ### 🌦️ Weather Note This event **runs rain or shine**, so please **dress appropriately for the weather**. The good news is that we’ll be **inside most of the time**, but there will still be some walking between locations. *** This should be a great mix of architecture, history, food, and classic road-trip fun. Come explore London with us! 🚐✨ * **NOTE - Subway doesn't start until 8AM on Sunday so plan accordingly**