I was out with a friend the other day running some errands and we decided to grab a quick cup of coffee at the McDonald’s drive thru. When I got to the window and the employee handed me the reader, I waved my Visa, grabbed the coffee and was on my way in a matter of seconds.
‘Waved my card’?
Do you have this symbol on your Visa credit card? Depending on the card type, it could be a different colour though. Mine is white.
This symbol means you have Visa payWave, a convenient feature that lets you pay with your card by simply waving it over a secure reader instead of inserting or swiping your card. There’s no need to key in a PIN, sign a receipt or look for change. Just a simple close wave and you are done.
Visa payWave is for transactions of $50 or less, including taxes. So it’s ideal for places like fast food restaurants, gas stations, movie theatres, pharmacies and convenience stores. You know, those purchases that you hope will be short and sweet so you can get on with the other billion things on your errand list.
This feature is so helpful, right?
Well, to help Canadians contribute even more, Visa Canada and key retailers are teaming up to support charities with the Visa payWave It Forward program.
For a set period at participating retailers, for every payment made with Visa payWave, Visa will donate one dollar to the retailer’s charity of choice {up to a maximum donation amount}.
A Visa Canada survey shows that 71% of Canadians donated to a charity last year. Almost 1-in-4 {24%} say they’d give more if they had a more convenient way to donate. Well, here it is, Canadians!
With the Visa payWave It Forward program, you can give more, just with your simple everyday purchases. In fact, Visa Canada is donating $1 to Ronald McDonald House with each and every Visa payWave used at McDonalds across Canada from now until November 25th.
In other words, using Visa payWave to purchase my usual $1.89 coffee was not only a quick and convenient way to pay – that small purchase also gave $1 to the Ronald McDonald House. Ahhh, now that’s some easy donating.
The next day I was out again running errands with my oldest {story of my life!}. We stopped at McDonald’s for a coffee for Mom and a Mango Smoothie for my daughter.
Again, our purchase using Visa payWave donated another $1 to Ronald McDonald House. So, make sure you use your Visa payWave if you’re stopping at McDonald’s anytime from now until November 25th.
Disclosure: I was compensated for this post yet all opinions are my own.
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Jamie says
once every so often if its for a good cause
Brenda Roy says
what a great way to help a local charity
amanda faith says
Most of the time I ‘donate’ (tithe) at my church but occasionally donate to random charities, especially ones involving children and animals.
Blessedta says
Often
Lana Thompson says
I donate every month through my bank account, as well as at work, as we support different charities (BC Children’s Hospital, Run for the Cure and the United Way). I give money, buy fundraising merchandise, and help raise money through bake sales and bbqs
Elizabeth R says
Every year I donate to several carefully chosen charities.
danielle t says
I donate occasionally through checkouts when the cashiers ask.
Judy C (Cowan) says
We have 2 that we donated to yearly, and then make smaller donations throughout the year to other causes (like giving an extra $1 at the checkout etc).
Melinda L. says
aoubt 2-3 times a year
charityk says
we donate monthly
Belinda McNabb says
I donate at least twice per year
Rene says
I donate something at least weekly, from food bank donations to supporting friends in their fundraising efforts. I also like to lend via Kiva, a microfinance organization.
Athena says
A few times a year
Tara Crawford says
i donate monthly
stacey dempsey says
I dont have a very high income so I dont donate tons I do mostly local school fundraisers etc and I volunteer in local things and small donations locally as well
Jenness M says
I have a monthly debit deduction to my fave charity.
Jonnie says
Bi-weekly, a donation comes directly off my husbands paycheck through his work for the United Way. We also donate to the food bank and healthcare charities throughout the year when the opportunity arises.
Monique L. S. says
i donate a few times a year.
Chandra Christine O'Connor says
hubby donates monthly off cheque plus we donate every grocery to the food bank box at stores., and always christmas
Amanda B says
occasionally, mostly the food bank
caryn s says
I try to donate to charities every month
Karry Knisley says
About 3 times a year
Andrea Amy says
As often as we can. Whenever they do the food drives where they pick up at our house I always donate (that would be to the food bank). I try to donate at least one or two brand new toys at christmas time for one of the christmas toy children’s charities. When they hold the food drives at the kids school we always send food as well. I donate our used clothing, used toys, etc. We will donate when they ask us to add an extra dollar or two to our bill at the checkout at walmart or the grocery store most of the time too. Wish we could do more but our income is extremely limited.
Francine says
I donate when there’s an event or campaign
Amanda Neilson says
About 3 times a year 🙂
martina says
Money a few times a year but I volunteer several hours a month
Amanda Neilson says
About 3 times a year 🙂
Dayna Wilson says
I make a monthly donation to the Canadian Red Cross, and periodic donations to the SPCA and Pit Bull Rescue organizations.
Brenda Penton says
I donate a few times a year to our local telethons and when organizations come to our door.
Anne Taylor says
We donate all throughout the year but mainly at Christmas. I save all of my winnings and split them up between 3 different charities. They each get boxes full of appropriate donations!
Haylie Langwald says
I donate to JDRF and the Heart and Stroke foundation every year.
Toby says
Average once a month!
Kristy S says
A couple times a year for sure and bits of change here and there in tins at registers
Karla says
I donate to charities about 2-3 times a year.
Heidi C. says
I donate on a monthly basis.
Nolie says
Twice a year
Rebby says
I donate throughout the year, but mostly around the Holidays!
Glogirl says
My family donates a few times a year to charity.
Deb Dorrington says
We donate to 3 charities every year and smaller donations throughout the year.
Brandee says
I have two charities which are important to me which I donate to yearly. And throughout the year if I see a need, I will donate again.
Carole Dube says
I donate a few times a year, my favourite is the Christmas bureau.
Cheryl Grandy says
We donate monthly to a couple charities.
Candace Evanisky says
I try to a few times a year whether its money or clothes
Nicole says
Small amount monthly. Bigger amounts amount at random times for certain events that I usually donate to or for disaster relief like right now for the Philippines.
Lisa Weidknecht says
I donate to my church regularly, as well as many other causes when they arise.
nickie says
We donate monthly.
Darwin says
We usually donate 4 times a year.
Kam says
At least 3-4 times a year.
Elizabeth Matthiesen says
I don’t donate regularly. I donate to one of the local churches for their shop whenever I have something for them and I also buy there too.
Adrienne Gordon says
I donate my time
Ann Fantom says
Other than church, we donate at least monthly
Tari Lawson says
We donate to charities about 6 times a year.
Mary Casper says
as often as I am able
Lori JB says
We give to the food bank quite often, do gift baskets for the local holiday toy drive and bring food, etc to our local animal shelter when possible. I have found that purchasing items through Unicef/World Vision is a great way to “give” a gift to those hard to buy for people on my list. They seem to look forward to it.
Julie G. says
I have several charities that I donate to on a regular basis. I also donate to local causes such as schools and hospitals.
Roseline says
My favorite charity is Ronald McDonald Houses! For us northern people it has been a home away from home to a lot of people I know! I give to that charity every time I see one of their boxes (very often!) This makes donations of about a weekly rate because I also donate the girls grown out stuff (clothing toys ect) to the women’s crisis center in my city!
Nicole B says
I donate monthly
Amy Dell says
I have a sponsor child in Thailand so give every month, been a sponsor long enough for one child to graduate from the program and our new child is now 7 years old.
Margaret Smith says
We donate on occassion, when we have the extra money.
TW says
I usually have a set number of charities I donate to every year, but I do donate when people are collecting randomly depending when I have change and if I’m not in a hurry!
kim says
I donate as often as I can at christmas time evertime I leave the stores I give to salvation army, give to food bank monthly with my couponing.
Joanne Elford says
I donate a couple times a year, but some years it’s more depending on what’s happening in the world. For example, I just donated yesterday to the Red Cross for the Philippine typhoon relief.
Don D says
monthly
Eva Urban says
Annually at Christmas we donate to Santa’s Anonymous/Edmonton Food Banks/Salvation Army. However, donate to Terry Fox Organzation/Alberta Heart Stroke/Royal Alexandra Hospital throughout the year – finances permitting. We are all in it together…giving is what it is all about.
Lisa H says
We donate throught payroll deduction.
Lisa H says
…. forgot to add: every 2 weeks is when we donate.
Soozle says
I donate every other month or so
rich morris says
I donate at least a couple times a year. Especially when family members are involved in a fundraiser
Barbara Montag says
I donate with volunteer time – 2x week.
Thank you.
Barbara Montag says
Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/jalapenomama/
Barbara Montag says
Just noticed that this is Canada so please disregard my entries.
Thanks.
Karine says
a few times a year
Angela SC says
Occasionally and usually to my cause if I have the funds.
Heather, Mmm... is for Mommy says
I donate frequently in a variety of ways, from $$ to time.
Victoria Ess says
I usually donate a collection of clothing and toiletries to local shelters once or twice a year.
Catherine says
I donate monthly to different charities.
Louise says
I always donate to cancer society. run for hope and BC Children’s Hospital
Darlene Schuller says
This year is our first year doing a big donation. We are donating toys/household items/mens, ladies things.. in memory of my grandson who passed away Nov 22nd last year at 10 months old of SIDS. We donate off and on multilple times to Ronald McDonald house. We support our children’s schools as well.
Vesper says
Haven’t been able to donate money to a charity for a few years now but we did donate about half our belonging and books to various charities before moving to Canada
Londia says
Not sure how much but we donate clothes and toys a lot and when shopping and they ask if you would like to donate we do that quite a bit. For sure more than a few times a year
silverneon2000 at yahoo dot com
Carol M says
A few times per year.
Louise says
we donate to run for cure, cancer society and children’s hospital
Kim H says
My favorite is toys for tots
Rebecca H. says
I try to set up automatic monthly withdrawals for donations so that I give regularly.
Erika B says
We donate all year round, so probably 10-12
MissT says
Once a year or whenever they ask at the register.
lori b says
I do donate often, to womens shelter, baskets at christmas time for families and saving bottles and cans for kids bmx’ing
Brenda Lacourciere says
about twice a year
Pamalot says
I donate as often as I able and often tithe at church.
Amy says
Donate 2-3 times a year but also extra when disasters happen (easy text donation) or giving change at stores to collectors or at cash when asked
Ester G says
I donate bi-weekly (comes directly off my pay) and usually on my dad’s birthday, fathers day, and on the day he passed (those all go to the Cancer Society as that is what took him from us)
l p says
yearly – make a list and stick to the list. thanks
Lindsay Cyr says
We donate to a few charities annually, however we often donate at store checkouts for various charities on a weekly basis.
Tammy Dalley says
I donate a few times a year
kathryn says
I used to give weekly now its more quarterly
Lee-Ann says
At least monthly sometimes more.
Amanda says
Not as much as I should…about once or twice a year!
eleanor says
I donate throughout the year.
robyn paris says
i donate once a year
Teresa Claire says
I usually take Sara to Santa’s Anonymous. We receive a card for a girl/boy and age with a description of what they would like for Christmas. Once we have purchased those things (plus a few extras) we take it back to SA and they wrap the gifts up and distribute to the child’s family.
J says
As often as I can.
Danielle D says
we donate and take food to the food bank from the garden all the time!!
Melanie B says
I donate clothes about once a month.. and then always contribute to the Stars Air Ambulance charity here!
Jasen H says
I try to make a donation 2 to 3 times per year
Tracy says
wow i didn’t know about the pay it forward program, but will definitely look for it!
jen s. says
not as often as i wish i could – but i do whenever it is possible and have certain select charities that i’ve always supported and always will
Viv Sluys says
We donate to several monthly and a few charities randomly throughout the year.
Areta says
I donate a lot during the holidays!
Ira says
Not very often, but as often as I can.
bree stegman says
usually about 4 times a year, to animal rescues, food banks etc
Leanne M says
A few times a year.
Jen L says
I have charities that I donate to off of my paycheque bi-weekly, I throw change in at counters and I give for natural disasters when then government matches.
Sunshine G says
Monthly – it’s set up as an auto-renew.
Donna L. says
monthly
Marjorie L. says
several times a month
nick a. says
every month
Holly says
I donate monthly Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada.
Tricia Cooper says
I donate to charities several times a year.
Laura-Jane says
Often
Debbie Bashford says
Cash 4-5 times a year , dry and canned goods to the local food bank every time I grocery shop (they provide a box near the checkout), at Christmas toys to the local CAS.
angie smith says
we donate through our religious group on a monthly basis!
Andrea Williams says
We donate mostly through our local church and do this regularly. I also try to make quarterly donations of items to Value Village, Goodwill or places like that.
sarah sar says
I donate about 2-3 times a year…I like to switch charities to give everyone a fair chance. There’s so much out there that I feel passionate about.
Michelle says
i donate often to selected charities
cheryl says
We donate to the foodbank, we donate our old clothes and toys
scott amoroso says
Everyweek on tuesday is a small collection that is donated to charity of the month. Each month we pick a different one to donate to.
Nell C. says
I donate usually around the holidays year-round.
trish says
not nearly enough
Natalie says
I donate once a year, usually not very much. I’d like to do more, but there isn’t much left after bills are paid.
Kat E. says
I donate monthly through payroll – so easy!
andrea says
I donate regularly to charity….at least once a month
BarbFS says
Weekly, tithing. 🙂
Clifford says
I donate monthly right off my paycheck and we also donated to 2 of our favorite charities twice a year.
Nancy says
by buying raffle tickets for charities
BobbiJo Pentney says
We donate to local events in the area, we always hope that everyone stays healthy and they are not needed.
Carey Miller says
I donate through payroll deduction and by providing food to our local food bank a few times a year.
Amy Bostic says
I try to at least once a year but this year I haven’t donated yet
Pat B says
With every paycheck
beth shepherd says
a few times a year.
Josh S says
I donate once a month.
MrDisco says
once a year
Michelle B says
We donate every 2-3 months.
Tina L. says
I usually donate a few times a year. This is not including the dollar or two for raffle tickets or chocolate bars.
Jennifer Saarinen says
Fairly regularly.
Dianne G. says
We pick a few local charities and give to them whenever we can.
Wendy hutton says
once a month
Jordi says
I donate to IFAW at least once a year.
jan says
time more than money – money only once a year
Leanne B says
Not as often as I should 🙁
Mims W says
at least once a month
Betty S says
I try to donate as often as possible. I support fellow workers who do walks, rides etc. and take part in a walk myself
Wanda Bergman says
Bi-weekly
Jo says
i donate my time once a week and make cash donations whenever I can especially to the food banks- about once a month.
Angie Rehal says
I donate monthly and I also volunteer with a local food bank weekly.
Dreena says
We donate when we can. We also help support two children in Nepal.
Cheers.
jm says
Several times a year
Carole B. says
When i have the occasion
Janelle K says
We donate a couple times a year to charities.
Holly Messana says
I donate whenever they have opportunities at different stores
angela m says
1-2 times per year
Jennifer C aka JusticeSadie says
We donate to several on a Regular Monthly Basis
Josie says
we have a few that are dear to our hearts and we donate to them a few times a year
Florence C says
I give donate at the door and at the stores.
natasha severson says
monthly
Lori Paul says
a few times a year as kids out grow things or when i need to declutter!
Nancy says
I donate to children’s and animal charity’s as often as I can.
sheri says
3 or so times a year
kelly oinonen says
Money is tight with nursing school, but when I go through the cashiers, when they ask for donations, I always give something.. even if its just $2-$5, its something. I donate my clothing and household items monthly as well. 🙂
rebecca marno says
Not often, when we can afford to help others we do. around the holidays we do, and at the cash places that donate a dollar
laurie tilkin says
I give to charities about 5 times a year
Sylvia says
I donate 4 times a year
Terri O'D says
We donate a few times a year, especially Nov/Dec
Sylvia Lee says
I donate monthly through work and also monthly outside work to different charities.
Christina B. says
Couple times a year.
Ei Leen says
3-4 times a year with KIVA.org & during the Christmas holidays
Jennifer P. says
We have 3 specific charities that we donate to at least once a year, and then we make smaller donations when the need arises e.g. Red Cross relief funds etc.
Cory Fillion says
I donate to charities whenever I can
ameirah t says
whenever i can
Carol Denny says
At christmas time
Vanessa Cook says
Once a year!
Adriana F says
I don’t donate as often as I would like to, but do what I can, when I can
tanyab79 says
once or twice a year sometimes more
Jen M says
All the time at the store tills and donate yearly to our preferred charity.
Amy C says
I donate sometimes.
Janice F says
we donate cash about every quarter but we donate used clothes, toys and household items each month
Chantale says
I donate often
elaing8 says
A couple times a year
Andrea C says
I have one set up as a monthly donation, and others I chose randomly through the year. I try to set a yearly budget to donate and then make sure at the end of the year I have met it.
Angela Mitchell says
We donate a few times during the year and then to several places at Christmas.
michelle says
we donate when we can, childrens charities are very close to the heart for us as well as heart and stroke
Lori P says
Apart from regular fund drives, we like to direct points from loyalty programs into charitable donations a couple of times per year.
Geoff K says
I make a bi-monthly donation to a local animal shelter and donate a few times a year to other causes I support.
maria says
yearly sometimes more
Emma says
once or twice a year to the children hospital
SweetPanda says
I set up monthly donation to World Vision and Plan Canada
Lisa says
Not as often. As I would like to… Usually more during the holidays
Laura Snow says
We try to make donating a part of every day life whenever possible. At the grocery store, the bank, anywhere someone is raising money. Every little bit helps!
Steve Kincade says
I have been thinking about this idea for a few years now. really glad it is a reality.
SueSueper says
We usually donate a few times a year.
Linda Peters says
3-4 times a year.
Shannon Gnocato says
We donate quite regularly. Kids sports groups, disaster relief, local charities etc.
Christy Martin says
I have about 3 I donate to annually.
Bons says
Just 1-2 every year
Keri says
I don’t donate cash very often, as we live paycheque to pay cheque… but I do donate my time, along with my kids as often as we can.
nicolthepickle says
About twice a month.
Beth Gallinger says
Not as often as I should…
Lori Jackson says
couple times a month
Andrew P says
I donate about once a year
Alouise says
I usually donate to charity 2 to 3 times a year.
Katharine W says
At least a few times a year and especially at christmas time with toys for the local toy drive.
stacey h says
i usually donate 3-4 times a year.
tina p says
My husband is a Realtor, we donate both money and our time constantly!
Elaine Jasvins says
I donate gently used clothes to many organizations
Ashleigh Swerdfeger says
I donate at least once a year.
roger simmons says
My wife donates monthly to the Church we attend but generally not directly to charities as the Church we tithe to does giving as well
Happy Chinadoll says
Just during the holidays. Twice
sandy says
I try to do what I can.
Alison Braidwood says
I give money every few months, and frequent my local charity shops.
Katarina B says
Usually once a month, but more around Christmas time.
pat george says
I would say everytime I grocery shop, and then at the holidays I give more
Treen Goodwin says
I donate to charities a few times a year , thanks for the chance to win !!!
Sarah Jackson says
We donate quarterly – sometimes more in between if we can
Jane Hammill says
Excellnt idea and a wonderful prize, thanks for the contest. I tend to give at the checkout and also around Christmas time to animal causes and local foodbanks.
Amirah says
We donate at least every 3 months.
Tara Gauthier says
I donate a couple times a year to the Children’s Hospital where my daughter sees a doctor from and some other charities through the year too.
Tiffany Wilson says
I donate to various charities at least once a month. So many great causes local and international to give to.