February 8, 2023

Supporting Charities Is Good For YOUR Health

At Global Coin Solutions, we are all about supporting charities and giving back. We do this by enabling charities to collect cash donations in any currency … turning leftover foreign currency into funds the charities can then use.We also do this by employing people: the more charities we work with, the more money gets collected, and the more people it takes to sort through the donations (sorting mixed currency is a manual process). Further, Global Coin Solutions is a Certified Living Wage Employer meaning that we pay our team members a minimum of $23.15 per hour which helps alleviate financial pressures on them.

Lastly, because the majority of the work we do is in support of charities, we are doing “good” work … we aren’t welling or making things for a consumable world so our team can feel really good about the efforts they put in.

What does Giving to Charity have to do with Improving your Health?

According to CanadaHelps, there are 5 Reasons Why You Should Donate to Charity and here are 3 that relate to our own wellbeing:
Giving promotes feelings of happiness. Helping others feels good. When you donate to a charity that is important to you, you not only help them continue their vital work, you’re also improving your emotional wellbeing, a win-win situation!
Experience lifelong benefits when you donate your time. If you are not in a position to contribute financially to charity, but are looking for other ways to give back, considering volunteering your time instead. You will meet new, like-minded people, learn new skills to add to your resume, or complete necessary community hours for school programs. You can also get involved in the community that supports your favourite cause. For example, if you attend a fundraising event for your favourite charity, you’ll meet new, like-minded people who care about the same cause.
Donating gives you the opportunity to show gratitude. Life is busy, and it can sometimes be easy to forget to show your gratitude for all that you’ve been given. There are thousands of Canadian charities and causes doing vital work across the country and around the world. When you are ready to give and are researching a charity to support, this can remind us of all that we have, and the act of donating to charity is a way to express our feelings gratitude. Inspire others to give by posting your kind action on social media to inspire others to give generously.

The Cleveland Clinic has this to say about Why Giving Is Good for Your Health (supported by research from psychologist Susan Albers, PsyD):
Health benefits of giving A smile isn’t the only reaction that comes from gift-giving. There’s also a chemical response that takes place in your body in response to … well, just doing something nice.As you help someone or give a gift, your brain secretes “feel good” chemicals such as:Serotonin (which regulates your mood).Dopamine (which gives you a sense of pleasure).Oxytocin (which creates a sense of connection with others).“When we do things for other people, it makes us feel much more engaged and joyful,” says Dr. Albers. “That’s good for our health and our happiness.”

Physical and mental health benefits associated with giving or serving can include:

Lower blood pressure Generosity truly is good for your heart, says Dr. Albers. Researchers found that giving to others can lower your blood pressure and protect your ticker. (The effect, by the way, is similar to the positive results brought by a healthy diet and exercise.)
A longer lifespan The secret to living longer may be giving more of yourself. Studies show that people who volunteer tend to live longer than those who don’t.
Less stress Want to melt away stress? The best solution may be to help someone else. Gift-giving or volunteering can reduce your levels of cortisol, the stress hormone that can make you feel overwhelmed or anxious.
A ‘helper’s high’ Giving can stimulate your brain’s mesolimbic pathway, or reward center, while releasing endorphins. That can lead to a “helper’s high” that boosts self-esteem, elevates happiness and combats feelings of depression.

The Health Benefits You’ll Receive By Donating To Charity according to Save the Children:
Improved Self-Esteem & Self-Worth Are Health Benefits of Charitable Giving Donating is a selfless act. One of the major positive effects of donating to charity is simply feeling good about giving. Being able to give back to those in need helps you achieve a greater sense of personal satisfaction and growth, it feels good to help others. Instead of putting money toward a gift someone may look at once and never use again, you can donate that money to a charity in need on your loved one’s behalf or send a symbolic gift. This leads to a feeling of self-worth knowing that you’re offering much-needed resources to a great cause for those in need. As an added benefit, you and your loved one will both feel good about giving back to others. Positive Moods and Low Depression Rates Due to The Psychology of Generosity With positive self-esteem and self-worth comes a genuinely more optimistic mood and outlook on life as even more health benefits of giving. Studies show that one of the benefits of giving back is its positive impact on the brain. These effects are similar to activities people usually associate with joy and happiness such as eating, exercising, or affectionate gestures like giving someone a hug. Different chemical reactions can lead to an ongoing pattern of improved mental health and well-being. Keep this in mind the next time you’re having a bad day and need something uplifting to draw from. There are many advantages of helping others, as donating can help better somebody else’s life and lead to a healthier you.
Longer Life Expectancy Is a Result of The Psychology of Giving to Therapy It’s no surprise that stress, depression, and anxiety can lead to a number of health issues, headaches, insomnia, and high blood pressure. One of the reasons why you should donate to charity is that it acts as a way to de-stress your everyday life. With the simple act of charitable giving, not only are you assisting the world as a whole, but you receive the added benefit of a more relaxed holiday season. As an added bonus, some studies show that the gift of giving and unselfishness is an altruistic personality trait that is closely aligned with people who live longer.
The Importance of Charity in Improving the World Community We’re all trying to make the world a better place. One person’s charitable giving can help the greater good of humanity, positively impacting more people than a giver may ever comprehend their donation could reach. In many parts of the world, others are not so fortunate. One of the benefits of donating to nonprofit organizations are the communities they build and nurture. Charitable communities help foster a happier and healthier world by improving the quality of life for those around us as a whole.

In Summary: Supporting charities, whether you are donating cash, leftover foreign currency, food, clothing, or toy doesn’t just help those in need, it helps you! Do your research, find that charities that fit best with your beliefs and aspirations, and support them however you are able. The world will be a better place because of your help and you will reap the health benefits of helping others.

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Busy Travel Season, Supports Food and Kids!

By Dennis Ullman • August 27, 2025

Perspective from over 30 years of fund-raising experience Yes, it’s that time of year… the busiest season of the year for travel. With the children now out of school for summer vacation and many parents taking time off… travel will most likely be the plan for many people. As we plan our summer trips, I’m learning that making reservations in advance is a great idea. Many favourable places are getting booked for the summer months. Travels and vacation may include visiting family, friends, sightseeing and could include a trip to a foreign country. Perhaps visiting your heritage and immersing yourself in a familiar culture is the plan. Others may be looking for an adventure and planning to traveling somewhere new. Every 60 seconds the team at GCS hears the airplanes fly over our office, as the planes come and go from Lester B. Pearson Airport. This is tangible proof that we are still travelling on a regular basis. Some destinations often lead to the need for a different or foreign currency. GCS is very thankful for our partners who support programs such as Currency for Kids . Be sure to visit one of the currency exchanges that help to collect donations of leftover foreign currency. Some of these awesome partners include Global Currency Services (Guelph) , Ultimate Currency (Ottawa area) , Wellington FX (Kingston) , Currency Convertors (Waterloo) , London Currency Exchange , Foreign Exchange Currency Shop (Finchurst Plaza) or one of 19 Continental Currency Exchange locations. Or, you can visit the GCS website that includes a map of ALL locations that accept donations of leftover foreign currency. Now that you have your Currency for the trip… please accept our best wishes and enjoy your vacation. How can your travels help to support Food and Kids? The answer is simple. Upon return from your vacation this summer, donate your leftover foreign currency to support initiatives like Currency for Food , Currency for Kids or the charity or non-profit organization of your choice. Yes, those leftover coins and bank notes can be donated to help make a difference in the lives of those who are struggling. Many people are having difficulties these days. Food Banks are in the news every day as they report a drastic increase in the demand for support as the number of families accessing the Food Banks are at record levels. Children and Youth are also in need, as community organizations work to fund summer camps, educational needs for the return to school in September, or even the basic needs to survive. Needs that include safe shelter, funds for clothing and other basic necessities. Your donation of leftover Foreign Currency will make a difference. Remember, donations of leftover holiday cash can help children, families, seniors, those trying to improve their mental health and many other needs in our community. I have an idea… what if you donated all of the leftover Foreign Currency you have from your summer vacation or travels to a charitable organization? I'm not referring to your disposable income or your vacation fund for the next trip. GCS is encouraging you to donate those coins and bank notes that will not be accepted by the currency exchange or bank. Please keep in mind, ALL CURRENCY ACCEPTED , regardless of the amount, date of circulation, condition of the currency, etc. All currency has a value, maybe not here in our community – but when repatriated back to the country of origin, the exchange into Canadian funds continues to make a difference. To date over $25 million has been processed thanks to donors like you. This may be great news. But, when you consider there is an estimated $2-3 Billion still available in Canada, there is much more we can do to support charitable work in our communities. Be sure to set a reminder on your phone or calendar to donate your leftover Foreign Currency at the end of the summer . Together we can make a real difference. Helping to Change the World, One Cent at a Time . For over ten years, Global Coin Solutions (GCS) has been repatriating leftover Foreign Currency in support of charities and not-for-profit organizations. During this time, https://www.facebook.com/CurrencyForFood/, hand sorted, repatriated and at the end of the process donated to hundreds of charitable organizations. Visit GCS on YouTube for more information. Did You Know? If you are seeking a charity to receive your donation, or if your charity of choice is not aware of Foreign Currency Collection Programs, please reach out to the team at Global Coin Solutions (GCS) and we’ll ensure that your donation is processed and the funds are provided to assist your charity of choice. Please visit the GCS website for more information https://www.globalcoinsolutions.com/ . For more information contact Dennis Ullman, Vice-President – Innovation and Development, Global Coin Solutions dennis@globalcoinsolutions.com or visit Global Coin Solutions today.

CHANGE – What does this really mean?

By Dennis Ullman • August 27, 2025

Perspective from over 30 years of fund-raising experience We have been hearing so much about “change” throughout the past couple of months. During the election campaigns, everyone spoke of a better Canada, time for a change, etc. I heard many years ago that “everyone wants progress and growth, but very few want to experience change” In fact, we are often fearful of real change. At the same time, we complain about the political situation, finances, local leaders and now, regardless of the final outcome – many people will be unhappy with the results of the recent federal election. Take the United States for example, “everyone” wanted change, so the majority voted in President Trump. Yes, he is making drastic changes, but people are complaining about the changes. The way to make a real difference or make a significant change, is to do something different that will hopefully bring about something new, different results, perhaps something better for all. If we don’t implement or try something different or new… change will never take place. Hopefully we can agree that reducing the need for Food Banks, minimizing impact of import/export tariffs, and a solution that would provide access to affordable housing would be a real change. I have an idea… what if we took all of the leftover Foreign Currency we have and donated it to a charitable organization? Yes, taking our change (coins) and using them to support real change in our community and in fact the entire country. What if we stopped storing up our leftover foreign currency, bank notes and coins and instead we donated this currency to help support change. I can hear the responses coming through already. How would this be possible? It will never make an impact, etc. What we do know is that Food Banks report that you can actually feed an adult or small family for around $75 per week. Some may argue, but the source of this statistic comes from the Food Bank networks… Let’s do the math… $100K in donations would feed over 133,000 for a week… to feed 133,000 for a year would cost approximately $5.2 Million. Considering that there is between $2-3 Billion available in leftover foreign currency, this is actually very realistic. With lots of potential funds still available to assist with the need for affordable housing and other needs in the community. We could assist seniors, disadvantaged youth, children living invulnerable situations, mental heath supports, summer camps for kids and the list goes on… What we need to do is make a real change. Rather than storing up our leftover foreign currency, which is what the majority of us currently do. We also have no real plan to use these funds and we can’t exchange most of the coins and some denominations into Canadian currency. So, now is the time to take our “change” and make a real change in our country. We don’t need to ask the government for additional funding or their permission to donate our leftover foreign currency. So, let’s go ahead make a real difference by donating to our charity of choice TODAY! The donation of leftover foreign currency does not come from our disposable income, so no direct impact on our day-to-day living. It’s time to donate those bags, boxes and containers of currency you were not able to return to the bank or currency exchange. Are you willing to make a real change? While helping to minimize the impact of the negative and strive to make life more positive for our family, friends and neighbours For over ten years, Global Coin Solutions (GCS) has been repatriating leftover Foreign Currency in support of charities and not-for-profit organizations. During this time, over $20 million was collected, hand sorted, repatriated and at the end of the process donated to hundreds of charitable organizations. Visit the GCS on YouTube for more information. Did You Know? If you are seeking a charity to receive your donation, or if your charity of choice is not aware of Foreign Currency Collection Programs, reach out to the team at Global Coin Solutions (GCS) and we’ll ensure that your donation is processed and the funds are provided to assist your charity of choice. Please visit the GCS website for more information https://www.globalcoinsolutions.com/ . Your donations could help to support Currency for Kids, Currency for Food or many other organizations. Please donate your leftover foreign currency today. Now is the time for you to begin helping to Change the World, One Cent at a Time. For more information contact Dennis Ullman, Vice-President – Innovation and Development, Global Coin Solutions dennis@globalcoinsolutions.com or visit Global Coin Solutions today.

Taking the Positive to Help the Negative

By Dennis Ullman • March 23, 2025

As I began to compose this article so many ideas, thoughts and events filled my brain. With Spring now officially here, snow melting, temperatures warming and people feeling more optimistic… to the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day, Global Money Week, Spring/March Break vacations, or for those who like to check items off their “To Do List”… spring cleaning. There is so much going on these days. With the political situation in North America taking over the headlines (i.e., elections, tariffs) we can get overwhelmed so easily. Then we turn the page or go to the next news update and see the negative impact of the rising cost of living and the crisis currently facing Food Banks across the country. I’m hoping that we don’t get too distracted by the negativity of some of these events and situations. Wouldn’t it be great if we could take the positive and use it to help improve some of the negative situations? Well, there is a way we can do this together. People often refer to me as being very optimistic… and yes I’m an optimist. I live with hope that everyday will be a great one, that we can work together to help each other in times of need. So how can we take the positive (vacations, spring time, etc.) and use these situations to help minimize the impact of the negative? Minimizing the impact from the food bank crisis, tariffs, lack of affordable housing, etc. I have an idea… what if we completed our spring cleaning, decluttering, reorganizing after Spring/March Break and took all of the leftover Foreign Currency we have and donated it to the Charity of Our Choice? You may say… will this really make a difference? Great question… before the answer let’s ask another question: Could the organizations in our community, province or country use $2-3 Billion in donations? Thinking, we can all agree that if over $2 Billion would be donated this would make a tremendous impact to charities and non-profit organizations across Canada. The answer to both questions is resounding YES . The donation of foreign currency does not come from our disposable income, so no direct impact on our day-to-day living. The source of donations of Foreign Currency would come from the leftover coins and bank notes we have accumulated at home or office, that have no real purpose or use at this time. Yes, I’m referring to the bags, boxes and containers of currency you were not able to return to the bank or currency exchange. This currency does have value, but no value for us at this time. I know that Starbucks or Tim's won’t accept it for our daily coffee or tea… I also know that the grocery store won’t accept it as payment for our food and I’m certain the utilities commission will not accept payment for hydro, gas or water bills. BUT… I am 100% certain that if you donated your leftover Foreign Currency to your Charity of Choice, the currency would be repatriated and in turn the proceeds would be donated to help minimize the negative. Your donation would help the Food Banks purchase more food, help a homeless person with the cost of shelter, assist a youth who is feeling hopeless, help support a senior citizen who struggles with their mobility, etc. and the list of needs is extensive. So… are you willing to help change the narrative while helping to minimize the impact of the negative and strive to make life more positive for our family, friends and neighbours?? As we celebrate Global Money Week, let’s work together to better educate the youth about the use of money, investments, etc. and let’s make a personal commitment to donate our leftover Foreign Currency today!! For ten years , Global Coin Solutions (GCS) has been repatriating leftover Foreign Currency in support of charities and not-for-profit organizations. During this time, over $20 million was collected, hand sorted, repatriated and at the end of the process donated to hundreds of charitable organizations. Visit the GCS on YouTube for more information. Did You Know? People keep leftover Foreign Currency in the strangest places. For some added suggestions while adding a bit of fun to your day, visit the GCS YouTube Channel and watch some great videos. If you’re still wondering where your leftover Foreign Currency is… I’d suggest you check in boxes that are tucked away, desk drawers, tea cups, cookie tins, suitcases, vases, etc. Perhaps you started on spring cleaning, or maybe you are downsizing, have an estate to settle after the passing of a loved one or you want to start reorganizing your home or office. No doubt, you will find some leftover Foreign Currency that could be donated. If you are seeking a charity to receive your donation, or if your charity of choice is not aware of Foreign Currency Collection Programs, please reach out to the team at Global Coin Solutions (GCS) and we’ll ensure that your donation is processed and the funds are provided to assist your charity of choice. Please visit the GCS website for more information https://www.globalcoinsolutions.com. Now is the time for you to use the positive to help minimize the negative by helping to Change the World, One Cent at a Time. For more information contact Dennis Ullman, Vice-President – Innovation and Development, Global Coin Solutions dennis@globalcoinsolutions.com or visit Global Coin Solutions today.