Dave Tod is a man of conviction. A man committed to making a difference. A former banker turned fund-raiser, Dave is always looking for unique and exciting ways to raise awareness, and funds for charity. This year, Dave took his fund-raising to a whole new level. He organized a ’round the clock’ golf event and then starred in it as one of two golfers who participated for the entire event. By round the clock, I mean — 24 continuous hours of golf. Beginning at 8am and ending the next morning at 8am. That’s right. Through the night. 24 hours straight golf. No matter the weather, the winds, or rain, or darkness. You golf. All through the night.

You might also call Dave Crrraaaazzzzy Man.

Dave and I worked together at the homeless shelter where I used to work. He came on board as the Manager of Fund Development and started shaking things up right away. Dave knows fundraising, and he knows how to get the job done. One day, Dave suggested we hold a ‘tent-a-thon‘ on the roof of the shelter. “On the Roof. Off the Street.” was about building awareness, and raising funds. Awareness around the challenges of homelessness. Funds for the shelter.

And it all began with a comment from Dave. “Let’s sleep out for three nights in tents,” he said. and I replied. “Okay!” Which is why for three of the coldest nights in December, Dave and I shared a tent, huddled in our sleeping bags, sipping coffee and tea and sharing stories of life as I tweeted and posted blogs throughout the event. We were joined by different people on all three nights, but Dave was determined to stay the entire time on the roof. I couldn’t let him down. I stayed too.

That was last December. This summer, as Director of Fund Development for L’Arche Calgary, Dave decided to re-do an event he’d held for another charity several years ago. “Golf Around the Clock.”

Joined by L’Arche board member, Randal Van de Mosselaer, they played over 104 holes, each. At night, they lit the course with glowsticks and used glow-in- the-dark golf balls. During the day, three longtime core L’Arche members joined them for nine holes (YEAH! Jody, Laurie and Duncan).

And in the process, they raised over $13,000 for L’Arche (the goal was $5,000), an organization founded in 1964 by Jean Vanier. L’Arche is based on a community model that empowers people with developmental disabilities to live in community with dignity and respect.

I had hoped to be able to be out there with them, blogging, and tweeting all night but work commitments didn’t afford me the time, so instead, I committed to donate cash. Which reminds me, I have to send in my donation! ‘Cause that’s the thing. When people like Dave follow through on making a difference in such a crazy and unusual way, supporting them is important and fun!  Plus, L’Arche does amazing work and I like that Dave puts his whole being into his work. It takes guts, and courage and commitment to golf around the clock, and Dave did it!

Congratulations Dave and Randal. You make a difference.