The 'Love Medal of Valour' blog series is about acknowledging people who go above and beyond for their communities by either volunteering their time, organizing charitable events, or helping to bring awareness to certain causes.
We are tremendously excited to feature our very first LM of Valour recipient, Rich Seymour of Nine O'Clock Gun clothing company.
Rich hosts a yearly event called The Curlympics Tournament where friends and family participate in a friendly curling match BUT.... dressed up in fairly creative group costumes. Team Jersey Shore showed up with fake tans, huge hair and a whole lotta attituuude. Team Russia was smart and managed to stay warm. With plenty of beer to be consumed between matches, Curlympics turns into quite the spectacle on the ice!
After presenting Rich our 'Star' Love Medal pin, for exemplary understanding and wisdom, we were able to sit with Rich to learn more about him...
LM: Tell us about your cause and what is it that you do.
RS: I don't really have one cause, I like helping animals, children and the hungry - and for our annual Nine O'Clock Gun Curling tournament, we have been collecting art supply donations for Easter Seals Kids Summer Camps. BC Easter Seals Camps provide free overnight summer camping experiences for children and teens with physical and/or mental disabilities throughout BC. I have a friend who works there and its a great cause to be a part of.
LM: How long have you been doing it for?
RS: The Curlympics tournament is in its 7th year, but I've been doing a host of charity events for many years including food drives and hockey games for the Vancouver Food Bank and golf tournaments for PETA. I'm also running the Scotiabank Half Marathon for Team Diabetes in June.
LM: Why do you do it?
RS: I'm just doing my part really. I have a lot of great friends - some who I've known since elementary school - and I like organizing events that bring all of them together. Adding a charity component has been easy because my friends are open to helping and contributing. There's a part of me that wants to help those in need because I know it could be me that needs the help one day down the road.
LM: How can someone who's interested help?
RS: The best thing to do if you want to help, is support people around you who are organizing charity events and organize your own events too. We put on an annual curling event, hockey game, beer pong tournament and other events. I find the best way to get people involved is to keep it simple, fun and don't ask too much from people. I find the less you ask of people, the more they will give. There are so many great ways to help a local charity - be create and start off helping little by little. It all counts.
LM: What has the most memorable/touching experience been for you through doing this?
RS: I think the gratitude from the people who work at the charities is the best part. They work so hard on getting awareness out there. They are so happy to have people helping and spreading the love.
LM: Any funny stories? About anything! We like funny stories here.
RS: My funny stories are too inappropriate for a public forum :) Too much nudity, and substance abuse. Actually, one time I collected a car full of household and clothing donations for a womens shelter - was knocking on door after door trying to find the half way house, finally found the right place - they looked at the stuff I had for them and told me they didn't want any of it. Now I stick to helping kids, animals and the hungry. That probably sounds bad.
LM: Who or what inspires you?
RS: I'm inspired by a lot of people. My parents generosity and support, my fiance's love for animals, inspiring athletes and passionate people - anyone who has a big heart and courage to do great things inspire me.
LM: Why is Ryan Gosling so hawt?
RS: I want his body. That guy is cut. I'm motivated to workout more when I think of him!
LM: What does love mean to you? How would you define it?
RS: Love to me is a combination of many things. Love is when you care for something or someone so much that you will do anything you can for it. Love gets us out of bed in the morning - but also keeps us in bed some mornings too ;)
Love is your purpose, your passion.
Thank you Rich!
-T
*Please email us at love@lovemedals.com if you know of someone you think should be an LM of Valour recipient :)
LM's first celebrity appearance!
Mr. London, known as the 'hipster rapper', proudly sported his Bravery Love Medal on stage at Fortune Sound Club and we were there to see it glimmer amongst jewellery pieces from his own collection.
photographed by Mark Gutknecht
If you aren't familiar with Theophilus London, check out the behind the scenes video of his GQ fashion shoot.
-T :)
In the late 19th century and early 20th century, the Women’s Social and Political Union fought for Women’s right to vote in the UK. They were called the Suffragettes. The movement began peacefully, but had no results. The WSPU then adopted a more militant approach. Women who were sent to jail went on hunger strikes. Many were force fed with tubes, which went down their throats and into their stomachs.
Mabel Capper was presented with the UK WSPU Hunger Strike Medal on July 30th 1909 for enduring the first instance of forcible feeding while on hunger strike as a Suffragette prisoner.
Women in Britain finally achieved suffrage equal to men in 1928. Canada & US in 1920.
It's truly inspirational to consider what women and men have gone through in the past for us to enjoy our modern day rights. Let’s continue to do the same for our future generations!
What causes are you ready to take to the streets for and kick down the doors of unjust rule?
It’d be nice to have better Netflix selections in Canada!!
-T :)
Our 100 year old studio attic is undergoing a renovation! It will be our new inspiration, relaxation, design room.
Although we loved the look and character of the old wood, it was just too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter.
Before:
Stage 1:
Stay tuned for more progress pics...
-T :)
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