1) Tell me a little about yourself?

My name is David Katz. I was born and raised in Toronto . I am the second youngest of five children, and a single father to two Miniature Pinschers, brothers named Reggie and Spencer (I am a lover of all animals, but am more likely to become a crazy dog person as opposed to a hoarder of feral cats).

I am a recovering obsessive pessimist turned eternal optimist.

I have spent most of the past ten years working for various consulting firms, and while the work was enjoyable at times, I never felt complete, nor did I feel any sense of joy and fulfillment I had experienced earlier in my life.

After a long hard look in the mirror this past summer, and taking a look at what’s going on in the world....I came to the realization that I am never really going to be happy in this world, unless I am doing something that I believe in….and quite frankly something that I enjoy.

I started looking at my life, what I have done both personally and professionally….and started to realize that once I graduated from university, I had stopped working in places in which I had a genuine interest….and one day, someone would call my bluff. When I was a kid I loved fish, so I worked at PJ’s Pet Center for years…as I got older I started getting into music and cars….so I valet parked and worked in a record store.

But once I graduated university, I started taking jobs that paid the bills….hoping that joy and fulfillment would result…but that never came. That’s when I also started more actively getting involved in various community organizations. Volunteering with these organizations provided me with the meaning that was lacking in the rat race.

Once I started “working” on Jack….I think my parents and family started to realize how miserable I have been the past decade or so. Ever since “Jack” came into my life, nothing seems to bother me….I almost feel guilty at this point for the fun I have been having with this. But having spoken with numerous individuals at various charities across and the ….I have realized that I am not alone in these feelings.

2) What is Jack the Donkey?

Coming from a long family history of activism and volunteerism, I realized that Jack The Donkey is what I call my grandfather’s legacy 2.0 (he created one of the first “Fun Runs” in Toronto and spearheaded countless other community projects in his time).

Jack The Donkey is an organization that I am creating that is seeking to maintain year round engagement with the ideas of Fundraising, Activism and Volunteerism (Can Jack make F-A-V FAB?). I am hoping that once Jack’s new site goes up (early February) we will be able to establish both a virtual world and real world presence – year round!

Jack The Donkey is a ‘character’ that has been brewing in my head for a couple years. If you have ever seen Fight Club, Jack The Donkey is my Tyler Durdon, without the abs or chiselled cheekbones. Since coming to life, “Jack The Donkey” has made close to 600 fb friends….and now has a growing group (Jackthedonkey.com’s group. The group for those who give a poop).

By using these social networking sites, and putting on the donkey costume periodically, I have made some great friends at many of the bigger and smaller charities and causes. Plug In America, Pencils for Kids, Surfers Healing, Lilah’s Fund are just a few of the organizations that I am hoping to bring attention to through Jack The Donkey. If Jack can get you to fall in love with these organizations, and the people helping run them….my mission is accomplished. The fact is, a large majority of the charities and causes do great stuff….but it’s the smaller ones who are doing some really interesting and ‘out there’ stuff to maximize their impact (and limited funds).

Jack The Donkey is my way of creating a voice that can speak to a broader audience (broader than the one that this David Katz can speak to….if you google David Katz – you’ll find out that I am everything from a respected surgeon to dance instructor…but there is only one Jack The Donkey, the ass who gives a poop). I am trying to speak with an audience who, for the most part, has had minimal connection with any of the charities and community organizations that we really should be supporting (an audience who has been overly active playing mafia wars and vampire games on various social networking sites….while developing their appreciation for classic rock on Guitar Hero).

I have seen traditional forms of support for charities (particularly in North America ) disappear during this economic crisis, and that’s when the idea of the “Bail Out For North American Charities” first started to develop momentum. I realized that I am in no shape to run across the continent…or even bike across it….but I love road trips…and am happy to make an ass of myself for many a good cause. Hence the road trip….where I will be wearing a donkey suit 23 hours and 50 minutes a day, 7 days a week (except when driving….that’s a dumbass move…not the image or legacy I want to leave behind).

3) Why do you feel it is important for George Brown to get involved?

I think that George Brown should get involved for numerous reasons. When you look at the programs offered through the college, and the diversity of the personalities going through your halls and campuses…I can’t help but think that there are a few creative/passionate people who give a poop….and want to do something fun, yet meaningful now and with the rest of their lives.

I have faced some challenges in getting the cross-continent support for the bail out going (upsetting, though not necessarily surprising), but thought that getting involved with George Brown College would be a great way to demonstrate that it is so much easier and more fun than you think to make a difference…by simply doing the things you already enjoy doing.

4) How can George Brown get involved?

First….you can coordinate fundraisers for various causes with your student body….have a fun run….put on a concert….play guitar hero for 6 hours straight….just get your friends and family to sponsor you….do ANYTHING for a good cause.

Over the past few years, I have become good friends with a respected local tattoo artist whose name is coincidentally George Brown (middle name…Michael) and his partner Matthew Ellis both formerly of Way Cool Uptown. They recently launched their own studio at Yonge and Eglinton called Seven Crowns Tattoo (www.sevencrownstattoo.com). Given the completely coincidental name that George shares with your college, he and Matt have offered to tattoo ribbons on George Brown students in exchange for donations to specific charities (we can discuss in more detail).

5) What are your future goals and plans for Jack the Donkey?

This February is merely the beginning of what I am hoping will be the start to Jack’s vision of year round involvement with fundraising, activism and volunteerism. You are going to think that I am nuts….but October 28th is my birthday….it is also Julia Roberts’, and Bill “Microsoft” Gates’ birthdays. I would love to have a bday/fundraising concert next October 28th (and all future October 28ths to be a kick off of activities leading up to the following year’s road trip….I would appreciate it if Bill or Julia could foot the bill for the concert….if not, I will find a way to do this….they’re still invited).

As for future goals….I just want Jack to be known as the world’s least traditional volunteer. If in the process I can help some truly special people change the world….then the foundations for my legacy as an ass (hopefully one who gives a poop) will start to be set.

6) Anything else you wanted to share that I didn’t ask in the questions above?

There’s so much more….but that’s enough of a mess for you to start trying to make sense of.

Please feel free to give a shout if you want to discuss further (info@jackthedonkey.com )….you can also pull pictures off of Jack’s facebook group if you need any accompanying man-donkey photos.