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| SCAW Kolkata team (Left to right}: Irene Harrison, Janet Wilson, Shannon Rourke, Jan Pearce, Ron King, and Mary Ann King. |
the column "Bobcaygeon Local" in the Lindsay Post
January 9, 2009
by Lisa Dever
On January 14, Ron and Mary-Ann King of Bobcaygeon head off to Kolkata, India to volunteer with the Canadian charity Sleeping Children Around the World. The Kings, who have lived in Bobcaygeon for forty-two years, first became involved with the charity six years ago. In those six years, they have traveled to, among other places, Uganda and Bangladesh, all at their own expense and all to help with a cause in which they strongly believe.
Sleeping Children Around the World, or “SCAW” as it is known, provides bedkits to children of all races and religions who need them the most. Each “bedkit” contains a mat or mattress, pillow, sheet, blanket, mosquito net (if applicable), clothes outfit, towel and school supplies. Contents of the bedkits vary slightly from county to country, depending on regional requirements. The contents for each kit are manufactured in the same country in which the kit will be distributed.
The charity, founded in 1970 by Murray and Margaret Dryden (parents of Dave and Ken) has raised over twenty million dollars and will this year deliver its millionth bedkit. What seems to distinguish SCAW from many other charities is the lack of administrative overhead. The charity is run by volunteers, but for one paid staff member, and that person is paid from a trust fund established by the Drydens years ago. All volunteers pay their own travel expenses. No funds are spent on advertising; the charity relies on word of mouth.
The Kings expect to deliver between five hundred and eight hundred bedkits per day during their visit to India. Each kit is labelled with the donor’s name and country and delivered to a child in need. The child is photographed with the kit and the photograph is mailed directly to the donor. Each kit costs only thirty five dollars (Canadian). Ron and Mary-Ann suggest that kits make a great birthday or “in memoriam” present. Visit the Sleeping Children Around the World website at www.scaw.org.
Safe travels Ron and Mary-Ann!
