Monday, December 30, 2019

Seaforth Residents Fund 235 Bed Kits for Kids in Bangladesh

by Daniel Caudle, published in the Huron Expositor on December 25, 2019.


Chris Hills stands with three school-aged girls in Bangladesh during his mission with SCAW 
to provide bedkits to underprivileged children. 

Seaforth residents Chris and Gail Hills have completed another mission with an organization that helps distribute bed kits to impoverished children.

The couple, who have been volunteering with Sleeping Children Around the World (SCAW) for over two decades, recently travelled to Bangladesh to oversee the distribution of bed kits to children in that country.

Before their travels, local business owner Dale Donaldson, president of Everspring Farms LTD., saw an opportunity to aid the Hillses in their charitable work by offering up his warehouse to hold a fundraiser.

On July 25, Donaldson was host to a barbeque fundraiser that allowed for the community to come together and learn about how their donations can be life-changing for a child in a developing country.

Donaldson said the community raised enough money to provide 235 bedkits.

“We had an attendance of about 325 people to enjoy an excellent meal catered by The Rollin’ Roaster and entertainment for the evening was provided by The Seaforth Harmony Kings,” said Donaldson. “Also, special thanks goes to the Seaforth area businesses that donated to the silent auction.”

According to Chris Hills, during their 2019 Bangladesh trip the organization distributed over 8,000 bed kits throughout 10 regions in southern Bangladesh.

At a cost of $35 per kit, this comes to a total of over $280,000 raised from various organizations to fund such distributions.

Thanks to the Seaforth community and their donations, a total of $8,225 was raised for the bed-kit distribution effort.

SCAW policy demanded that the Hillses fund their trip, with all the money raised at the Everspring Farms barbecue going directly towards the purchase of bedkits.

Each bed kit includes a mat or mattress, pillow, sheet, blanket, mosquito net (if applicable), clothes outfit, towel and school supplies.

Bed kit contents vary from country to country depending upon local needs.

“This was a truly unique trip for us, as we were involved from the very first discussion with Dale and Marianne about the barbecue, meeting all the Everspring Farms employees, the barbecue itself, being there in Boga, Bangladesh to give those needy children their gift from Seaforth, and finally giving a summary of the project at the Everspring Farms Christmas dinner,” said Hills.

The bed kits provided by SCAW are much-needed services in developing nations with the group dedicated to providing bed-kits to improve the lives of children in Third World countries.

Donaldson said they are considering holding another fundraiser sometime in 2020.

“With the generous donation of Everspring Farms and the support of the Seaforth community, we were able to put together the largest single photograph ever of 235 children at Boga,” said Hills.








Sunday, December 15, 2019

Christmas Café - December 21st


2nd Annual
CHRISTMAS CAFÉ

Saturday Dec 21
Noon to 5pm

Please join us for a $5.00 lunch
(Homemade Soup, Bun & Drink)

530 Lolita Gardens, Mississauga
In the Party room, Ground Floor

Christmas Music
Crafts and Baking
Meet Your Neighbours!

Proceeds to Sleeping Children Around the World

Contact: Kay 905-275-8496

Tuesday, June 11, 2019

Tuesday, May 8, 2018

Thursday, May 3, 2018

Musicfest 2018

Due to the power outage the new date for Musicfest is June 3 at 2 pm. 

Thursday, June 22, 2017

SPOKESPEOPLE Charity Ride - September 23


 
The 14th annual Spokespeople Charity Ride is taking place on Saturday September 23 (24 in case of rain).
 
We are a group of friends who enjoy cycling and annually use one ride to raise funds and awareness for a charity we support.

This year our ride will be supporting Sleeping Children Around the World, a charity founded in 1970 by Murray and Margaret Dryden. For each $35 donation a bedkit, consisting of items that will help a child attend school and sleep better, is given to a needy child in countries around the world. To date, donors have given over 1.5 million bedkits.

Sleeping Children Around the World is a 100% charity - every dollar donated is used to purchase bedkit supplies. Sleeping Children Around the World is operated by volunteers, from the processing of donations to the distribution of bedkits. They do not receive nor request funds from any level of government. All administrative costs are covered by a legacy account set up by Murray Dryden so that 100% of every bedkit donation reaches a needy child.

Every donor receives a personal photo of the bedkit and the child who received it along with a newsletter about the distribution destination. Bedkit materials are all sourced locally, further supporting the country where the kit is distributed. Canadian volunteers assist local organizations to distribute bedkits - typically 5,000 bedkits are given in a week-long distribution. Upcoming 2017 distributions include Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Honduras and Bangladesh.

To donate please click this link:  https://scaw.thankyou4caring.org/
To sponsor a rider, please type their name in the field titled "Special instructions to SCAW"

Friday, April 28, 2017

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Craft Sale - November 27, 2016


CRAFT SALE

APPLEWOOD

THE SHAVER  HOMESTEAD

450 The West Mall

Etobicoke M9C 1E9

 Sunday November 27th, 2016

 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Beautiful Hand Made Gifts, Greeting Cards, Paintings,

Home Decor, Jams, Jewellery, Sweets and much more, presented in a Friendly Victorian setting.

Free Admission  -  Free Draw

For more information call 416 - 622 - 4124


www.applewoodshaverhouse.org

EILEEN RADEMACHER

I will have a table at this event selling

My Art Work

All proceeds will be donated to

SLEEPING CHILDREN AROUND THE WORLD

Monday, September 19, 2016

Emajjin Children’s Foundation -
Gala in support  of SCAW
 
Click this link for information:  http://www.emajjin.org/index.php?action=events

or
Please contact Karen Scott for tickets:  kscott99@gmail.com

 

2016: Sleeping Children Around the World

This year, we are excited to have our 3rd annual Gala, "Sweet Dreams" to benefit Sleeping Children Around the World on Wednesday October 5th, 2016 !
Sleeping Children Around the World distributes bedkits to children in a ratio of 50% girls and 50% boys, aged 6-12, from any culture or religion. The core philosophy of this unique charity is that every child should be able to get a good night's sleep. 
The contents of a bedkit vary from country to country, but always contain bedding and a mosquito net, clothing and school supplies. SCAW was founded by Murray and Margaret Dryden in 1970. Since then, the organization has raised over $40 million to provide bedkits for over 1.4 million children in 34 countries.
 
This year, we are honoured to have NHL hockey legend Dave Dryden, the current chairman of SCAW, to be speaking at Emajjin's gala.
 
Live entertainment will be provided by the very talented vocalist/pianist, Eliza Pope.

As always, our silent auction will offer unique items for everyone:  Tickets to local shows, weekend getaways, sports events such as Leafs and Raptors games, wine packages and items for the whole family. Our live auction will feature a family holiday, golf packages, Box hockey tickets and other goodies.
Join the fun by bidding on these great items and raising money for SCAW!
It will be another memorable Emajjin gala. Join us as we gather to support another Canadian charity that makes the world a better place for children.

Tickets

Cost: $125 each
Eight / Table seating
A charitable tax receipt will be issued after the event for a portion of each ticket
For all ticket sales, dietary requirements and seating arrangement requests, please email Mini Riar at mini@emajjin.org, or fill out this order form.
For corporate sponsorship opportunities, please call 416 724 8127.
 
Venue
Wednesday October 5, 2016

The Brighton Convention and Event Centre
2155 McNicoll Ave.
Toronto, ON, M1V 5P1

Reception

Time: 6:00 pm
Hot hors d'oeuvres
Complimentary soft drinks and juices
Cash bar
Piano

Dinner

Time: 7:15 pm
Dress: Cocktail
Performance: by Eliza Pope
Silent Auction: Unique items for the whole family

Raffle

$10 per ticket or three for $20
Items will be raffled throughout the evening.
We are also seeking your assistance in donations of items for our silent auction. If you or someone you know, would like to contribute auction items, a gift in kind receipt can be issued (Excludes services and gift certificates).

For sponsorship opportunities please call (416) 724-8127.

Thank you for your generous support!

 

 

 

Thursday, September 8, 2016


Providing a good night’s sleep to those
in need



By Justine Alkema, Clinton News Record

Wednesday, July 20, 2016 1:00:47 EDT AM
                                       
              
                       

Seaforth natives Chris and Gail Hills are dedicated volunteers. They
have been team leaders with Sleeping Children Around the World (SCAW) for many
years.


SCAW’s mission is simple – to give bedkits to needy children in
developing countries.

“As our children grew up, we realised that like most western kids, they
had way too much stuff” said Chris. After realising this, instead of giving
their kids a gift, they would give a bedkit to a child in need. Their child
would receive a photo of the other child with their new bedkit.

The bedkits include a mosquito net, plastic sleeping mat, blanket,
pillow, pillow case, bath towel, toothbrush, schoolbag, grade two pad, tote
bag, slippers  (flip-flops), raincoat,
four t-shirts, two shorts, four notebooks, three pencils, and three ballpoint
pens.

The kits are purchased and put together in the country they are
delivered in.This supports the local economy and makes travelling a lot lighter
for the volunteers. Also, each kit costs $35, and $35 goes a lot further in a
developing country than here.

Many groups fundraise across Canada through bake sales, garage sales,
barbeques and more.


“SCAW spends no money on advertising, cold calls, or mail-outs. It is
indeed one of the few 100% Charities,” said Chris.

The developing country which the Hills deliver to changes every four
years. They make the trek to the country to deliver the kits once a year with a
team of volunteers.

For the past four years, the country has been the Philippines. On May 13
to June 3 of this year, they went on their last trip to that country. This year
alone, they were able to deliver 5,000 kits there.

In April, the Filipino community around Clinton held a fundraising
dinner for that trip which was reported in the News Record. From that event, they were able to purchase 31
bedkits. This event will continue to happen annually. Although the Hills will
be working in another country, proceeds from that event will continue to go to
the Philippines.

The Hills welcome the opportunity to visit schools, libraries, church
groups, or service clubs to talk about SCAW.

(To find out more about Sleeping
Children, please contact Gail and Chris Hills at 519-522-1913, email kithills@hotmail.com, or take a look at
the SCAW website at scaw.org)

 
 
Typical photo a donor will receive for his/her $35 donation – the
                                 child wearing the shorts and t-shirt from his bedkit with the rest

                            of the bedkit items laid out in the photo. The left sign shows the country

                               “Philippines,” and the right shows the location, in this case “Porac.”
 
 
Boys with bedkits
 





 

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

Philippines fundraising dinner supports two charitie


The second annual Philippines fundraising dinner was held on April 2 at the Heartland Community Church in Clinton. This dinner supports two charities, Sleeping Children Around the World (SCAW) andHarvest of Love.

By donating to SCAW, people can purchase bed kits with the knowledge that 100 percent of their donation will be given to children living in poverty. Thekits include such items as a sleeping mat, mosquito net, clothing, personal hygiene items and school supplies. Husband and wife Chris andGailHills volunteer with SCAW. Volunteers can go overseas to assist with giving out the bed kits once per year. This is the last year Chris will be going to the Philippines as SCAWrequires team leaders to change which country they visit after four years. SCAWfacilitates 12-13 distributions per year, giving out between 5,000-6,000 bed kits per visit to each country. Chris explains that many of the villages that he has visited consist of homes that are approximately 20 feet by 20 feet with a dirt floor and no amenities of any kind. Many of the villages are on river flats that flood every year. The families are living in extreme poverty.

The Harvest of Love was founded by Charie Hendrick. This is a family- run charity to feed less fortunate people near her home in the Philippines.

The Fundraising Dinner began as a different project in 2014, when Hurricane Hayan struck the Philippines. The Canadian Filipino community realized that they needed help and held the first Philippines Fundraising Dinner. The first dinner was such a success that it was decided to hold it again, but this time making it a combined fundraiser for the two charities with half of the proceeds going to each.

Thursday, March 24, 2016

Dedicated Stratford volunteer honoured as recipient of Peace Medal from the YMCA

As posted in the Stratford Beacon Herald, March 24, 2016.

Click graphic for larger size.



Her effort to help others begins in Stratford and spans the globe.

Little wonder, then, that city resident Sue Orr has received the prestigious Stratford YMCA Peace Medal for 2015.

"She is absolutely a peacemaker," said Y chief executive officer Mimi Price in announcing the honour.

"Sue is one of those people who we know is there doing a lot, but when you take a moment and add it all up, you go, yes, she's definitely bringing peace to our community, and Canadian peace to developing countries.

"She shows people in these developing countries that we're listening, we care about you."

Price said the Peace Medal honours those "who make a difference, who make a contribution to make somebody else's life better, or a community better."

Orr was a natural choice, she added.

For nearly a decade, she's been active in global outreach with Sleeping Children Around the World (SCAW), a Canadian-based charity started in 1971 by Murray and Margaret Dryden.

Since the Drydens began the charity with $3,000 of their own savings, SCAW has provided bedkits to over 1.4 million children in 34 developing nations around the world.

The kits generally consist of a mat, mattress or bedding, school supplies and a school bag, clothing and footwear, and a mosquito net.

Orr began volunteering with SCAW back in 2007. She said she was immediately impressed by the ideals of the group, with all funds collected going directly to improving the lives of youngsters around the world.

Volunteers like Orr pay for their own travel and accommodation.

She has served in Kenya, Bangladesh, India and Togo, and recently was named a team leader. She plans to continue to volunteer annually in India for the next three years.

In her years with SCAW, Orr estimated she has helped distribute 29,000 bedkits.

"It's brought so much to their world," Orr said of SCAW's efforts to help youth.

"This will change their lives."

In addition, she also serves as co-chair of Stratford and Area World Aid, and is involved in a water project to aid residents of Addis, Ethiopia.

Along with those global outreach efforts, Orr has also been active in helping those in need in her own community.

She serves on the board of Stratford House of Blessing and is a regular volunteer at the Erie Street facility.

Like SCAW, the House of Blessing is a charitable organization that she holds in high regard. It's a valuable local resource that provides cooking lessons, clothing, household items and food to deserving local individuals and families.

"I appreciate what they do," she said.

"They have been able to bless so many people by passing along donations of clothing and household items. They also make sure that we recycle as many items as possible in a responsible manner.

"I truly see the value in this mission and how it fits the needs in our community."

She also finds time to help with a breakfast program at Romeo Public School, and serves as secretary for the Stratford and District Council of Churches.

In years past, she's volunteered with the Stratford Skating Club, To Stratford with Love, Miles for Memories and Community Living Stratford and Area's annual Swing into Spring.

Asked what motivates her, Orr simply said, "It's who I want to be.

"I see value in making peoples' lives better, whether it's in developing countries or here in Stratford.

"I have been blessed, so I need to bless others."

Orr said her volunteer work would not be possible without the support of her family, including husband Jeff and the couple's two children Greg and Nicole, their extended family, and friends.

And while not one for the spotlight, she said she hoped her Peace Medal will help spread awareness of the various charities she supports.

"I don't like to draw attention to myself," she said. "I like to do things under the radar.

"But if I can bring attention to some of the organizations I volunteer with, I'm more than happy to do that."

Looking forward, it sounds as if Orr plans to keep as busy a schedule as ever, balancing her global volunteer work with her efforts closer to home.

"I've got to keep helping people. At the end of your life, if you look back at the things that matter the most, it doesn't matter how much money you have or what kind of car you drive.

"It's what you did for somebody else."

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

GARAGE SALE


100%...FOR THE CHILDREN

2nd ANNUAL SCAW GARAGE SALE

 
ONCE AGAIN, PEGGY MORRISON AND CINDY HOBMAN, WITH THE HELP OF SCAW VOLUNTEERS, WILL BE HOLDING THE 2ND ANNUAL GARAGE SALE WITH ALL PROCEEDS GOING TO BEDKITS.

 
WHEN:          SATURDAY, MAY 28TH, 2016

8:00 A.M.

 
WHERE:       GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH

                        SPRUCE & REYNOLDS, OAKVILLE

 
LAST YEAR, FUNDS WERE RAISED TO PROVIDE 136 CHILDREN IN UGANDA WITH BEDKITS.  OUR GOAL THIS YEAR IS TO SURPASS THIS NUMBER.

 
HOW YOU CAN  HELP:

  •  BEGIN YOUR SPRING CLEANING EARLY AND DONATE ITEMS FOR SALE
  •  SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT THE GARAGE SALE AND ASK FRIENDS,        FAMILY  AND  NEIGHBOURS TO DONATE?

A BIN HAS BEEN PLACED IN THE SCAW OFFICE FOR DONATIONS.  WE WILL EMPTY THE BIN REGULARLY AND STORE THE ITEMS UNTIL THE DAY OF THE GARAGE SALE.

 
ITEMS CAN ALSO BE DROPPED OFF AT THE CHURCH ON FRIDAY, MAY 27TH BETWEEN 5:00 AND 8:00 P.M. 
 

PLEASE…NO BOOKS (EXCEPT CHILDREN’S), NO LARGE ITEMS OF FURNITURE, NO CLOTHING.

 IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR ARE ABLE TO ASSIST ON MAY 27TH AND/OR 28TH, PLEASE CONTACT EITHER CINDY (cindyhobman@gmail.com) OR PEGGY (peggy.morrison@cogeco.ca).

Serenata Singers Concert

The Serenata Singers support three charities, one of which is SCAW.
Click on graphic to enlarge.

Monday, November 2, 2015

Tuckersmith Township local aids Sri Lankans battling poverty

As posted by the Seaforth Expositor, November 2, 2015.

By Shaun Gregory, Huron Expositor

At first sight the mud hut woven with sticks and twigs appears to be a place where goats or oxen might call home, but that is not the case, this is someone’s house.

These types of homes in Sri Lanka are similar to most in the nation, which are constructed in a way not well-known to North Americans. The main building components are what’s identified as wattle and daub, a material usually assembled with a mixture of clays, plant fibers, and sometimes even cow dung. Long-time Tuckersmith Township resident Chris Hills said the woman who owned the dwelling was “absolutely overjoyed” and proud to show the guests her lodging.

“She was excited at her new house, as you and I would, if we got a new duplex in a sub-division down the road”, said Hills, who is from the organization called Sleeping Children Around the World.

The Canadian non-profit organization specializes in the donation of beds and since 1970 when the charity first touched ground, they’ve raised over $23 million to arrange bed kits for children in 33 countries. In 2009 they achieved the goal of providing a bed to a million children.

Hills has been connected to the charity since the early 80’s and this visit marked his second time travelling to Sri Lanka. He touched down on September 23 and left October 11, an arrival and departure that is an “extremely emotional” time for the veteran volunteer. From the first time travelling, which he refers to as “parachuting” to the developing country, it didn’t seem as bad as he had heard.

“There was these gorgeous dressed Sri Lankan women, I wasn’t sure what I was seeing, I said to the one of the volunteers, I’ve got pictures of women in (beautiful) sarees. It (will) be difficult to go back Canada and say that these people are penniless,” Hills stated in an interview at the Expositor office.

What the unpaid helper was not aware of is that this vibrant ethnic clothing was not theirs, the volunteer told Hills that these items are borrowed because they knew the offerings group was coming.

The volunteer explained, “what (we are) doing here is bigger than any birthday, wedding or any Christmas and what they are wearing is from friends, relatives. You’ll see them tomorrow, they won’t be wearing that.”

Before each family is given the $35 bed kit an interview process is required for each donee. This is essential for the perspective in case a modification is needed. After the meeting is done the children and parents are smiling ear to ear, said Hills.

“You talk to them in the parent interview, you ask them about the bed kit, you ask silly questions, is it useful? They look at you, yeah even the bag it comes in,” enlightened Hills.

The gear usually included a plastic mat to keep the children off the dirt in their houses, a mosquito net, school supplies, pair of socks and this year they added a pair of shoes to the kit.

These simple gifts keep the poverty-stricken families in Sri Lanka happy, a reaction that puzzles the three-decade volunteer who is originally from England.

“You’ll often have the translator, parents and the Canadian in tears over what’s being talked about, this is daily life.( I don’t know) how they wake up smiling in the morning, but they do," Hills said.



Friday, September 11, 2015

Terra Nova Barrel Blast 2015

Submitted by SCAW Volunteer, Jodi Pendry on September 11, 2015.

Pete and Jodi Overdevest and family, Bright Ontario


A picture from our silo of a horse
just in arena to do her barrel race.


One of the many recipients of an award!
Here are a few pictures of our event “Terra Nova Barrel Blast” My family has been involved in Barrel Racing for many years. My husband and I decided we would like to host a barrel race but did not feel the need to make any profit ourselves from doing so. I had the opportunity to learn of SCAW through Ken Graham and that had always left a big impression on me. We decided to use our event to raise money for SCAW. The barrel race was held over the weekend of August 21, 22, 23. It was a big success! We had over 130 competitors and their families, ran over 600 barrel races, sold 240 chicken dinners Saturday night and had over 90 trucks and trailers in our field. We had competitors from the ages of 2 years old to 80 years old. Our children and extended family and friends helped to run the food booth, my husband looked after all the equipment and arena management and I ran around looking after administration. The weather co operated which made our weekend enjoyable for all involved!

A large sign at the end of our driveway:
BARREL RACE
Sat. & Sun.
Spectators Welcome
Free Admission

We hoped we could encourage good family entertainment for free and with any luck spectators could buy from our food booth or donate to this charity. Funds raised came from personal donations, show host return money, food booth, and both Ontario Barrel Racing Association and National Barrel Racing Association gave $1000 each. With all accumulated we are able to present a cheque to Sleeping Children Around the World for $7500! The response has been very positive and we have decided to do this next year with even bigger idea’s to come!

Thursday, August 20, 2015

Grants — A Circle of Giving

Submitted by SCAW Volunteer Karen Scott.
SCAW is operated by volunteers, from the processing of donations to the distribution of bedkits. Our financial structure ensures that 100% of every bedkit donation reaches a needy child. We neither receive nor request funds from any level of government. Grants provide a very important way to spread the word about SCAW and means by which more needy children can benefit from the comfort of a good night’s sleep so that they will go to school and have hope for the future.

This is the story of one grant. As a Senior Program/Project Manager by profession, I volunteered for the Project Management Institute (PMI), a global organization of more than 500,000 members headquartered in Newton Square Pennsylvania. As recognition of my service, in late 2014, funds in the amount of $1,000 US became available to me to designate to the charity of my choice. Of course, I chose SCAW! In order to secure approvals for disbursement, senior level PMI staff were involved and several weeks were required to complete the process. SCAW received the funds just in time to include the donation in the Togo 2015 distribution on which I served as a team member. The joy of seeing 37 beautiful children as recipients of bedkits from this grant was indescribable and emotions overwhelming.

My associates at PMI had not previously heard about SCAW. They were impressed by everything about us – our dream, our mission, our core values, and the work we have done to date to distribute more than 1.4 million bedkits to needy children living in abject poverty in the developing world. For more information, please go to the SCAW website and check out our blogs.

The circle of giving was completed and the word about SCAW was spread far and wide. 37 beautiful Togolese children immediately benefited. Countless more children will be beneficiaries in the near and distant future. Please consider how you may be able to acquire a grant to continue to support SCAW and give needy children the gift of hope. For the Children – thanks!

Pour les enfants – merci!