Mr. Festival Hydro calls it a day

From Bangladesh 2011

As posted in the Stratford Beacon Herald< February 3, 2012.

By DONAL O'CONNOR STAFF REPORTER

One could say that Doug Mac-Dougald orchestrated his departure from the board of Festival Hydro.

As a member of the utility company from day one in 2009 following the dissolution of the Stratford Public Utilities Commission, he was an active participant in making provision for regular turnover of Festival Hydro board members.

More significantly, though, MacDougald was a key player on the utility company's board for more than a decade.

"He's quite frankly known as Mr. Festival Hydro," said current Festival Hydro chair Howard Famme. "He served on the board for the past 11 years, four of them as chairman, and all 11 on the finance committee."

During MacDougald's term, said Famme, the utility company paid more than $10 million in dividends to the city of Stratford plus interest of more than $1 million per year for the entire period.

During the city's 2005 budget year, Famme said, Festival Hydro provided revenue amounting to about 7% of the municipal tax levy.

The company, whose shares are wholly owned by the City of Stratford, also made possible the base financing for the Rotary Complex.

"It's been a pretty amazing 11 years," said Famme, who also credited MacDougald for his involvement in the amalgamation of the seven hydro companies that comprise Festival Hydro Inc. -the electricity companies in Stratford, St. Marys, Seaforth, Brussels, Hensall and Zurich and Dashwood.

MacDougald is a partner veterinarian with South West Ontario Veterinary Services located in Stratford, a company that provides services to the swine industry.

"Business is business," he said, when asked what particular skills he felt he brought to Festival Hydro and Rhyzome Networks, the company that's building the data infrastructure for Stratford's emergence as a digital technology centre.

It's essentially about good business practices and good communication, said MacDougald.

The electrical utility company has made good collaborative decisions giving consideration to providing the best value to the communities it serves.

You can't make short-term decisions when you're running an electrical distribution company, added MacDougald, citing the company's capital policy focused on renewal of infrastructure.

"We've got a tremendous board and tremendous senior management team. They are very capable."

Even with all of its capital layout for infrastructure and keeping up to date with technology, including wireless technology, the company has still been able to return a substantial dividend to the City of Stratford each year.

For fiscal 2011 the dividend paid to the municipality was $1.2 million.

Although MacDougald has stepped down from the Festival Hydro board, he chuckles when asked about his "retirement."

"I'm a real veterinarian not ready to retire," he said.

MacDougald has been involved in dragon boating, in supporting the United Way and Stratford General Hospital Foundation and as a travelling volunteer with Sleeping Children Around the World, a Canadian charity that helps the poorest children of the world.

doconnor@bowesnet.com

Palgrave PS Collects for SCAW

As posted on SNAP CAledon, January 26, 2012.

We were hoping if SNAP would attend our upcoming Sleeping Children Around the World Assembly at Palgrave Public School on January 27, 2011, 2:15 p.m.. For the 21^st consecutive year, the children of Palgrave P.S. will be raising funds to provide bed kits for those less fortunate.

Once again, the Palgrave Rotary has kindly agreed to match each bed kit donation. We are hoping to have people join our assembly or drop off donations at the school. Mr. Dave Dryden from Sleeping Children Around the World along with Wayne Cowell from Palgrave Rotary will be there at 2:15 pm to accept the donations.

Order forms are available in the office or online at scaw.org.

Historians researching for new publication of east division of Ashfield

As posted by the The Goderich Signal Star, January 25, 2012

Dear Editor,

In the last couple of months a volunteer group of historians have met to research the history of the east division of Ashfield Township, Nile to Lucknow and Shephardton to Lochalsh. A new book published book will replace ‘Frontier Ways to Modern Days’ (Concessions 8 to 14) printed in 1976 and ‘From Bush Trails to Present Tales’ printed in 1980 of Concession1 to 7. It was written 40 years ago.

We will be correcting mistakes and adding information that has come to our attention.

The land ownership has been compiled for each farm from the crown to today. Family trees that we do not need are listed at www.acwtownship.ca or phone 519-528-3710.

We have found many interesting people who had their beginnings in Ashfield such as Murray Dryden, the founder of the charity Sleeping Children Around the World. His grandparents Andrew and Margaret Murdoch Dryden lived at Burnside Farms, Paramount, Highway 86.

We have a list of families from the 1881 Census who have no lot or concession numbers. These residents are no doubt living in the log cabins, which have been vacated by the farm owners who have built new frame, stone or brick homes.

If you enjoy just writing the stories of your family farm, we would like you to join us on Thursday, Jan. 19 at 1:30 p.m. at the home of Warren and Marian Zinn.

Marian Zinn,

RR2 Lucknow

Peter Adams to receive Order of Ontario

As posted by the The Peterborough Examiner, January 21, 2012.

CLIFFORD SKARSTEDT Examiner Former Peterborough MP and MPP Peter Adams, seen March 30 addressing the crowd during the Peterborough Speaker Series, will be invested into the Order of Ontario at a ceremony on Thursday.

Two weeks ago Peter Adams got some pretty surprising news.

The former Peterborough MPP and MP found out he was awarded the Order of Ontario, the province’s highest honour. A ceremony for the prestigious acknowledgment takes place Thursday at Queen’s Park in Toronto.

But Adams wasn’t allowed to tell anyone. He was asked to keep the award secret until recipients were announced.

Receiving the Order of Ontario is a tremendous honour, he said.

Keeping it a secret was a bit difficult, he said, particularly during the first few days.

He also had to postpone a couple of meetings scheduled for that day, he said, without any explanation for the cancellation.

With a laugh, he said he has already rented his tuxedo for the prestigious ceremony.

Adams doesn’t really know why he’s been selected.

It’s rare for politicians to make the list, he said, so perhaps it has something to do with his community involvement or academic work.

The synopsis next to his name didn’t offer much insight.

“Peter Adams, of Peterborough, a politician, professor and volunteer whose efforts raised Peterborough’s profile in the 1990s, when the province decided to make the city the new home of the Ministry of Natural Resources.”

“I guess until I hear the citation Thursday I won’t know for sure,” Adams said, after hearing the description.

He also doesn’t know who nominated him, and is hoping next week’s ceremony illuminates that piece of the puzzle.

Adams has received an honorary doctorate from Trent University in 2010 and remains professor emeritus there. He was one of the founding members of the university’s geography department.

He chaired the Sport, Recreation and Wellness for All Campaign at Trent University, which exceeded its goal of $4 million for the new athletics centre at the university.

He’s also authored numerous books and advocates for numerous causes like Sleeping Children Around the World, an organization that delivers bed kits to children in developing countries.

But Adams said it’s his work representing Peterborough riding residents that he’s most proud of.

Adams served as MPP from 1987 to 1990 and as MP from 1994 to 2005.

“Being elected as MPP, and MP, so faithfully, by so many people,” Adams said. “That was really the big thing.”

NOTE: Other names on the list include John Tory, former leader of the provincial Progressive Conservatives, and Linda Schular, co-creator and executive producer of the Degrassi television series. There are 27 people who are receiving the order Thursday.

sdeeth@peterboroughexaminer.com

Making a Difference One Child at a Time

As posted on TCP News, January 19, 2012.

TCP [The Community Players, New Hamburg, ON] supports Sleeping Children Around the World through show proceeds.

Providing financial assistance and making a difference within the community is an important part of what TCP is all about. With each production, the leadership team deliberates at length what organization(s) they feel they would like to support with a portion of the show proceeds.

In 2011, with TCP’s production of Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida, it became evident that we were telling a story about countries (Egypt and ancient Nubia) where power struggles affected the lives of everyone, often displacing whole societies, and leaving those afflicted by war, with nothing. We were launching our production at a time when that part of the world, modern day Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, and others, was experiencing intense political turmoil. With that turmoil in mind, and the effect it could have on the average person, particularly children, we felt that we wanted to reach further afield with our donations.

In looking for an organization to donate to, we came upon Sleeping Children Around the World (SCAW). SCAW provides bedkits to children of any race and/or religion who will benefit the most, typically being located in underdeveloped and developing countries. No portion of a bedkit donation is spent on administration – 100% of it reaches a needy child. Dedicated to the concept of “freewill giving”, SCAW strives to provide hope and always aims to preserve the dignity of the child.

In an ancient world, such as that depicted in Aida, and in our modern day world, where the needs and dignity of the most vulnerable are often forgotten, we felt that providing some of TCP’s annual donations in the form of bedkits for children in underdeveloped or developing countries was a good place to put our support.

We were pleased to receive a picture of the five children that our funds assisted, in Nicaragua.

SCAW groups have traveled to a number of other locations since May 2011 and TCP’s production of Aida, including Uganda, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Honduras. For more information on Sleeping Children Around the World, and how they are helping those most in need, visit their website at www.scaw.org.

Submitted by Lynette Jenkins, January 12, 2012.

On the 3^rd December 2011, we had our 13^th concert "An Evening With Lynette And Friends" at St. Paul's Bloor Street.

We raised $6,211.40 for Sleeping Children and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves - audience and performers alike.

The performers included Cosburn Middle School Choir and Band; Subhadra Vijaykumar a carnatic violinist; The Natya Tapaya Dance Academy; Toronto All Stars Steel Orchestra and students from Rosedale Public School steel drum band; Marni Levit with djembe drumming from Africa; and HMCS York Naval Band (Pictured above.).

Many thanks to the artists performing, the members of SCAW who gave their time to help with sales and bedkit display and the friends who attended and contributed to the evening.

We have booked the church for the 14^th concert which will be the 8^th of December 2012. Please mark it on your calendars now. The more people who come - the more children we can help.

Thanks for all your interest and involvement.

Lynette

Caledon community stepped up to help needy over holidays

As posted by the Caledon Citizen, January 5, 2012

By Bill Rea

The holiday season is traditionally a time for people to step up and share with those less fortunate, and many in the Caledon community did just that this year.

...

Ellwood Memorial Public School in Bolton pitched in too. Principal John Stegeman said some 1,500 cans of food were contributed to CCS. He also said the school assembled 67 bed kits to go to Sleeping Children Around the World. As well, the school sponsored a local family in need.

...

ENTIRE ARTICLE

Mall raises $30K

The Santa Experience.
Sleeping Children Around the World chair Dave Dryden, left, receives a cheque for $32,309 from Sherway Gardens general manager Andy Traynor while Santa Claus looks on. Photo by Marnie Bonnett

Sherway Gardens has raised over $32,000 through a popular Santa Claus attraction to donate to an organization that provides bed kits for children in developing countries.

The mall began selling tickets to the Santa Experience in November and throughout December. It raised $32,309 that was donated during a ceremony this morning at the mall to Sleeping Children Around the World.

"Since 2002, Sherway Gardens has proudly donated 100 per cent of the proceeds from the Santa Experience to Sleeping Children Around the World," said Sherway's general manager Andy Traynor. "To date, $204,825 has been raised through ticket sales for the Santa Experience which has gone toward helping over 5,000 children worldwide."

The Santa Experience allowed children to join Santa Claus for an interactive play session that included sing-a-longs, dancing and story time. Children also got to share with Old Saint Nick what they wanted for Christmas and pose for a photo.

"It's such a great thing to think that a happy time such as Christmas, where our children are celebrating and having their pictures taken with Santa, can lead to many kids overseas getting bed kits," said Sleeping Children Around the World chair Dave Dryden. "As a result of the support (we have) received from Sherway Gardens, we have been able to provide approximately 6,000 bed kits to children in countries around the world including India, Kenya, the Philippines, Uganda, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Honduras and Bangladesh. We can't thank them enough."
cclay@mississauga.net

SCAW Mentions: The past month

As published in The Toronto Star, December 18, 2011.

Goar: Life after politics

...
Peter Adams represented Peterborough for the Liberals from 1993 to 2006, threw his energy into Sleeping Children Around the World, which distributes bedkits (a mat, a sheet, a blanket, a mosquito net and 20 other items) to children in poor nations where thousands die of malaria. He and his wife Jill have travelled to India, Bangladesh and Honduras on Sleeping Children missions.
...

As published in The Barrie Examiner, December 20, 2011.

Thanks for making gift fair a huge success

Thank you to all those who supported the 2011 Gifts That Give Fair which took place Nov. 26 and 27 at St. Mary's Church Hall. The diversity of initiatives in social justice, environmental awareness and aid and development being undertaken in our community and in the developing world was enthusiastically represented by the Elizabeth Fry Society, Barrie Fair Trade Working Group, Hospice Simcoe, Simcoe Sojourners Friends of L'Arche, Sleeping Children Around the World, Birthright, Grandmothers to Grandmothers, Canadian Food for Children, Candlelighters Simcoe, Parents of Children Living with Cancer, Kids for Turtles, One Tribe Wasafiri, Bridget Gallagher's Fair Trade Co., Chalice, DreamyZ's and Ten Thousand Villages.

Thanks also to these participants and their volunteers for providing us with the opportunity to purchase gifts while supporting some of the good work happening in our community and around the world.

Rebecca Johnson Orillia

As published in the Listowel Banner, December 28, 2011.

Students pull together for children in need

...
By looking at issues in Somalia, Attawapiskat and Sleeping Children Around The World, the students discussed themes of giving and not taking things for granted. They said they realized how lucky they are and chose to do something nice for those without. The students then collected 29 new toys for boys and girls and $110.68 for the local Salvation Army.
...

Majors victorious against Kingston

As posted on mississauga.com, December 16, 2011.

Bears everywhere. The Mississauga St. Michael's Majors hosted the Kingston Frontenacs at the Hershey Centre Friday evening. Hundreds of teddy bears were thrown onto the ice after the Majors' first goal in the second period. The bears will be donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Peel Region with proceeds from bear sales to be given to Sleeping Children Around the World. Staff photo by Rob Beintema

Spencer Cobbold has only scored three goals in his Ontario Hockey League career, but the Mississauga St. Michael's Majors rookie's most recent goal, scored tonight at the Hershey Centre was the most significant.

Not only did it open the scoring in a 3-1 win over the Kingston Frontenacs, but it also sparked an avalanche of stuffed toys thrown onto the ice in the Majors' annual teddy bear toss game.

All bears that hit the ice will be donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Peel and proceeds from bears purchased tonight will be donated to Sleeping Children Around the World, an organization that sends bed kits to children in developing countries.

"It was a big game for us," said Cobbold, who broke a 19-game goalless drought. "Getting the goal was good and then all these teddy bears coming down was pretty cool so it was definitely a big goal."

The win snapped a three-game losing streak for the Majors (15-14-1-3) and occurred three weeks after the Frontenacs came back from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Majors 4-3.

The Majors are eighth in the OHL Eastern Conference while the Frontenacs sit in last place. However, Majors coach/general manager knew what to expect from the Frontenacs, who he feels are playing better than their 9-20-2-2 record indicates.

"We knew coming in Kingston has been playing a lot better lately," Boyd said. "They got a big win in Belleville Wednesday so we knew they were going to play hard. We had to bring our competitive level up and I thought we did a good job of that."

Cobbold's goal, scored 2:11 into the second period, was also the most bizarre of his short career.

He fired an innocent-looking point shot towards Kingston goalie Igor Bobkov, but Bobkov caught it and accidentally threw it into his own net.

Other than that blunder, Bobkov was solid with 32 saves on 35 shots, but Mississauga's J.P. Anderson had an even better outing. He stopped 34 of 35 shots.
Shortly after the opening goal, Majors centre Brett Foy was hurt by an elbow to the head by Conor Stokes, who was slapped with a game misconduct. He was helped off the ice and didn't return.

"Anytime you lose a player who plays regularly and kills penalties, it's going to make a difference," Boyd said. "Hopefully Brett's alright. That's our main concern."

The hit will be reviewed by the week within the next few days and a suspension for Stokes is possible.

The Majors have lost two players to injury in the past three games. On Sunday, Mississauga captain Stuart Percy was hurt after he went head first into the boards following a hit from Ben Thompson of the Kitchener Rangers.

Percy suffered a sprained wrist, whiplash and a cut on his cheek requiring stitches. He isn't expected to be out of the lineup for a long time.

Kingston's Darcy Greenaway tied the game midway through the second with a one-timer past Anderson, but Mississauga defenceman Dylan Demelo restored Mississauga's lead with a shorthanded marker 1:10 later.

Demelo, who picked up an assist on Derek Schoenmakers' third-period goal, one-timed a pass from Jamie Wise with teammate David Corrente serving an interference penalty. Defenceman Alex Cord contributed to the Majors attack with two assists.

Both teams went scoreless on the power play. Mississauga was shutout on four chances while Kingston failed to capitalize on six opportunities.

The Majors will host the Sudbury Wolves Sunday at 2 p.m. in their final game before the league's Christmas break.

The Wolves, winners of eight out of their last 10 games, sit one point ahead of the Majors for seventh in the Eastern Conference.

icolpitts@mississauga.net

Holiday party helps kids

As posted on mississauga.com, December 16, 2011.

For the Browne family in Sherwood Forrest, what started out a decade ago as a holiday get-together with neighbours and friends has developed into a fundraising juggernaut.

At first it was just having drinks with the neighbours at Christmas. The Brownes would collect a few toys and some cash for a good cause.
It was five years ago that Jim Browne heard of the great work being done by Sleeping Children Around the World, an organization that donates bed kits to children in underdeveloped and developing countries. Each bed kit contains a mat, pillow, sheet, blanket, clothing, towel, school supplies and a mosquito net, if needed.

The family adopted that cause and moved their Christmas cocktail fundraiser to the Rosewood Bistro in the nearby Sherwood Forrest Village Shopping Centre.

Last night, the party took over the entire top floor of the restaurant.

The Sleeping Children program was founded in 1970 by Murray Dryden. While on a trip in India, Dryden tripped over a sleeping child in the streets. He realized that while he may not be able to end world hunger, he could provide a child with a good night's sleep.

"If these kids don't have the money for a school uniform, they can't go to school," says Browne.

"We do this because you've got to give back," he said in an interview this morning. "These kids have nothing."

Last year, the annual Holiday Cheer gathering raised enough money to buy 150 bed kits for the program. After last night's event, another 168 new kits will be purchased with the almost $6,000 that was raised.

Not bad for a giving tradition that Browne notes, "just started with getting a few neighbours together for drinks at Christmas."

Palgrave PS helps SCAW

A letter sent to Palgrave Public School parents.

Dear Palgrave Parents and Guardians,

Once again, Palgrave Public School will be involved with the Sleeping Children Around the World charitable drive. 'SCAW' donations provide bedkits to children of all races and/or religions, typically those living in 'underdeveloped and developing countries.

Last year, our 20th Anniversary of fundraising for this charity, we purchased a record number of bedkits -- 159 from the families of Palgrave PS, generously topped up by another 115 bedkits from the Palgrave Rotary. Palgrave PS has the distinction of having contributed to this charity for longer, and purchased more bedkits, than any other school - anywhere.

The bedkit photos make great Christmas gifts for those 'hard to buy for people on your list. Think ahead and use them for birthday and anniversary gifts too. Each recipient child holds a small sign printed with your personal message - so please allow a few months for the photos to reach you.

No portion of a bedkit donation is spent on administration - 100% of your $35.00 donation reaches a child in need. These bedkits consist of a mat or mattress, pillow, sheet, blanket, mosquito net, clothes, towel and school supplies. Bedkit contents vary from country to country depending on local needs. Where possible, bedkits are produced in the country for which they are destined, giving much needed skills and employment to the local workforce.

To read more, click on the graphic.

Another mention on the Internet

Sleeping Children is still being mentioned on the Web as one of many worthwhile charities.

• As published by The Montreal Gazette, December 14, 2011.
  Wilder Penfield Elementary: Wilder's spiritual animator, Rosalie Shewchuck, will be visiting each class creating awareness of important topics like poverty and how to best connect with the families students will be helping this year. Students will also learn to reflect on the many benefits that giving offers to others and to ourselves. For many years Wilder Penfield has supported the Sleeping Children Around the World Campaign. Every year, each class collects money to help provide a safe, comfortable night's sleep for children around the world. This money is used to purchase items like sleeping bags, pillows, mats, mosquito netting, pyjamas and toiletries.

Several mentions on the Internet

Sleeping Children has been mentioned several times on the Web these past couple of weeks.

• BuySell.COM, November 28, 2011
  "Sleeping Children Around the World
  
  This organization was founded by Murray and Margaret Dryden in 1970. It provides bed kits to children in developing countries. Each $35 donation provides a mat or mattress, pillow, sheet, blanket, mosquito net (if applicable), clothes, towels and school supplies. No portion of a bed kit donation is spent on administration. Traveling volunteers, at their own expense and without benefit of a tax receipt, go to countries to supervise the distribution of bed kits, photograph children with their bed kits and write articles for the donor newsletter.
  
  Cost: $35 for one bed kit.
  
  Visit: scaw.org/index.html"
• Busch Systems International, November 30, 2011
  "The “Lip Charmours” have set a team fund-raising goal of $3600 and Busch Systems also is involved in various charitable efforts such as Christmas Cheer, United Way, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Barrie Food Bank, Red Cross for Haiti Relief and Sleeping Children Around the World."
• The Toronto Star, November 30, 2011
  "The interactive Santa experience is nothing new for Etobicoke’s Sherway Gardens mall, also a Cadillac Fairview property.
  
  It’s been offering a six-day-a-week, 45-minute pre-registered session for children with Santa since 2001. About 6,500 children signed up for this year’s sold-out Santa Experience sessions, which include storytelling and games and take place in full view of shoppers. It costs $5 per child, with all proceeds going to a charity that provides bed kits to kids in developing countries, called Sleeping Children Around the World.
  
  Since the interactive Santa experience started, Sherway has raised more than $200,000 for the charity, says Lisa Resnic, senior marketing director at the mall.
  
  And get this: It was Santa himself who suggested getting rid of the typical mall approach.
  
  It was taking up to 3 ½ hours of standing in line before children got to see Santa.
  
  “He said, ‘By the time the children get to see me, they’re not very happy,’’’ Resnic explained. “He came up with the idea that we should do something interactive, be more engaged.’’"
• Smith Falls EMC, December 8, 2011
  "Sleeping Children Around the World (SCATW): A workshop outlining the efforts of SCATW to provide bed kits and school uniforms to children in struggling societies around the world. "

Honduras: Trip Reports Posted

Honduras Reports

The donor newsletter for the Honduras bedkit distribution has gone to print and can be downloaded from the Sleeping Children Website.

Honduras 2011

Photos are available in the Honduras 2011 Photo Album. You can view them by clicking the link above.

If you would like to read the reports on the web, you can read them in their entirety here.

Here is a download link for the PDF version of the newsletter.

Delmanor Glen Abbey Support Sleeping Children Around the World

As published on the Delmanor Blog, December 5, 2011

The random acts of kindness philosophy was continued at Delmanor Glen Abbey as Betty Fry, a Delmanor Glen Abbey resident, challenged the Delmanor seniors to raise funds for The Sleeping Children Around the World organization. The S.C.A.W raises funds to provide bed kits to the neediest of children in underdeveloped and developing countries.

The Glen Abbey residents wished to continue the fantastic work of the Ken Dryden family and the United Church.

In the photo, from left to right back row: Helen, Peg, Jean
Front row: Betty Fry, Sleeping Children Rep, Myrtle

The Sleeping Children Representative was overwhelmed when the Delmanor Residents presented her with $300 collected over the month of November!

The residents of Delmanor Glen Abbey were honoured to help raise funds for this very worthy cause. They will always remember the heartfelt emotions that came with assisting underprivileged children around the world.

To obtain more information about Delmanor Glen Abbey, please contact Julie Shuster, Marketing & Community Relations Manager at (905) 469-3232 or visit them online at delmanor.com

Gifts That Give Fair

As published on the Barrie Examiner website, November 26, 2011.

The 2011 Gifts That Give Fair will be held this weekend at St. Mary's Church Hall at 65 Amelia St. in Barrie. Representatives from numerous not-for-profit organizations will be there to discuss their work and visitors can purchase gifts from tables featuring fair trade items, arts and crafts, bedkits, cards, clothing, gift certificates, goats, chicks and more.

Visitors can help celebrate the 65^th anniversary of Ten Thousand Villages with Hospice Simcoe, and learn about Grandmothers to Grandmothers, Kids for Turtles, Sleeping Children Around the World, Elizabeth Fry Society, Barrie Fair Trade Working Group, DreamyZ, Canadian Food for Children, Chalice, Birthright, Candlelighters Simcoe Parents of Children with Cancer, Bridget Gallagher's Fair Trade Co., One Tribe Wasafiri and Simcoe Sojourners Friends of L'Arche.

The fair runs today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
...

---

Rotary Choral Concert Returns to Shaw Festival

As published by Niagara This Week, November 25, 2011

Annual Christmas event takes place Dec. 11

The Rotary Christmas Choral Concert will again be returning to the Shaw Festival.

This year’s event will feature 10 area choirs who will fill the Festival Theatre with the sounds and spirit of Christmas. The inter-denominational event features choirs from Bethany Mennonite Church (including the Niagara Bethany Handbell Choir), Evergreen Singers, Grace United Church, Niagara Star Singers, Niagara United Mennonite Church, Queenston Ladies Choir, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, St. Mark’s Anglican Church, St. Vincent de Paul Church, and the Young Singers of Niagara.

“This event really does define what our wonderful community is all about — bringing joy to the residents of Niagara through music,” said Ward Simpson, president of the Rotary Club of Niagara-on-the-Lake. “This year we welcome back some favourite choirs and we’ll see the addition of young singers from the community to carry on the tradition. This year’s massed choir, with almost two hundred voices, rejoicing on The Shaw’s Festival Theatre stage promises to be the highlight of the Christmas season — don’t miss it!”

The 11th annual Christmas Choral Concert will take place on Dec. 11 at 7 p.m. at the Shaw Festival. All proceeds from the event will benefit the community programs at Rotary House in Niagara Falls, Youth Unlimited in St. Catharines, Adrie’s House of Hope in South Africa and Sleeping Children Around the World — providing bed kits for children in underdeveloped countries.

Tickets for the fundraiser are $20 for adults and $10 for students and can be purchased in person at Simpson’s Pharmasave and Simpson’s Apothecary in Niagara-on-the-Lake, as well as at the Shaw Festival Box Office and participating area churches. Tickets can also be purchased from any Niagara-on-the-Lake Rotarian. For more information, visit www.rotary-niagara.com. Tickets will not be available for purchase on the night of the concert so it’s important to purchase in advance.

Oakville Place helps SCAW too

As posted on the Oakville Place Event Guide, November 24, 2011.

Visit Santa in Centre Court

November 20 to December 24
Sunday – Monday: 11am – 5pm
Tuesday – Friday: 10am – 8pm
Saturday: 10am – 6pm
Christmas Eve (*Reservations Required)

Get your list ready and put on your brightest smile! Your memorable experience with Santa will be captured digitally by video and photo which you can download, print and send to friends – all free of charge! You’re invited to bring your own camera as well.

Photos with Santa on CHRISTMAS EVE will be available by reservation only. Visit Guest Services to reserve your time slot.

Donations are encouraged with 100% of the proceeds benefiting Sleeping Children Around the World. Sleeping Children Around the World (SCAW) donations provide bedkits to children of any race and/or religion who will benefit the most; typically being located in underdeveloped and developing countries.No portion of a bedkit donation is spent on administration - 100% reaches a needy child. Each $35 donation (Canadian Funds) provides a bedkit that consists of a mat or mattress, pillow, sheet, blanket,mosquito net, clothing outfits, towel and school supplies. For more information about SCAW, visit www.scaw.org.

Give a gift to the world at North Street United Church

As published on the Goderich Signal Star website, November 22, 2011.

Our town has experienced the devastation of a natural disaster and is slowly recovering and rebuilding. In many parts of the world, famine, drought, poverty and disease are a constant reality of daily life.

North Street United Church in Goderich is hosting its fifth annual "Global Giving Mall" to raise funds and awareness for many worthy global relief projects. The Mall is an opportunity to purchase Fair Trade foods, gifts and crafts which support ongoing local and international aid projects.

The event takes place Saturday, November 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday, November 27 from noon to 3 p.m. Displays from Ten Thousand Villages, Canadian Foodgrains Bank, Sleeping Children Around the World, Friends of The Orphans Canada, Fair Trade Coffee and Tea and many other charitable groups will be available throughout the weekend. A " Caribbean-style Lunch " will be served on Saturday for a $5 donation to assist with African relief projects. Donations to the Goderich Disaster Relief Committee will be gratefully accepted.

You are invited to " Exercise your heart and give a gift to the world". We look forward to seeing you again this year.