Murray Dryden had lived a full life.
He was raised in a farming community in Manitoba and had learned at a very early age the valuable lessons of hard work. He also knew that life could deal you an unfair hand. He learned this during the depression. He knew the feeling of pride in proudly representing his country. He experienced this when he served his homeland in the war. He also learned the value of quality service. His thriving customized brick business was built on this central premise.
At the age of sixty, Murray could reflect upon his life with great satisfaction. He and Margaret had a beautiful home in Etobicoke, a leadership role in their church and three successful children. In fact, Murray and Margaret saw each of their sons achieve stardom in the National Hockey League!
Their lives were about to take a dramatic turn.
Murray had dedicated his life to the demands of his business and he now looked forward to a slower pace. He could now enjoy his passion for travel. His spirit for adventure found him in India and as he left a train platform after a tiring day of travel, his thoughts were about finding sleeping accommodations for that night. He did not think that a simple fall would change his life. It must have been near nightfall because it happened without warning. Suddenly Murray was on the ground but puzzled by what had caused him to fall. He looked in disbelief. A small child asleep on the pathway had caused him to stumble.
In that instant Murray must have recalled his tribulations during the depression when he often slept without the comforts of a proper bed. But he did not dwell on this. Murray was a man who was not afraid to take decisive action. He decided that something must be done.
His passion for change began to take shape. When he returned home he could barely contain his enthusiasm as he shared his ideas with Margaret. They decided that their plan required a contact in India who could assist them in bringing their plan alive. The YMCA of Bombay filled this need.
Murray returned to India and was introduced to St. Crispin's Orphanage in Pune. He eagerly shared his plan with the administrators. He wanted to select 50 of the neediest children served by the orphanage. He insisted this number be composed evenly of boys and girls. He identified the items that he wanted to have included in a "slumber kit". His intention was to give a gift of peaceful sleep. Each child would receive a mattress, bedding items, some new clothes and some basic school supplies. Furthermore, he insisted that all these items be made by the simple cottage industry of the city. The $15.00 cost of each kit was no obstacle. Murray was not only decisive - he was generous too!
Murray and Margaret Dryden were unaware that they had just created the template for a charity that would touch the "hands and hearts" of over one million children in 34 different developing countries. What they did know is that they had done what they thought was right. They were guided by the inspirational belief that "it is the right of every child to have a peaceful night's sleep".
Murray and Margaret's compelling and passionate story of 50 "slumber kits" in India captured the imagination of those who listened. Many people encouraged them to follow their new dream. After much deliberation, Murray decided to register his Canadian charity and it was called Sleeping Children Around the World. He clearly stated the values of his charity:
- 100% of all donations must go to the bedkit for each child.
- All items for the bedkit must be produced by the local economy.
- All bedkits must be equally distributed between boys and girls.
- All bedkit recipients must be the neediest children in the cities and villages.
- All bedkit recipients must be of school-age and live in a simple home.
- All bedkits must be personally delivered by a member of Sleeping Children Around the World
- All volunteers must cover 100% of their personal costs with out benefit of a tax receipt.
- Each child who received a bedkit must be photographed and a picture returned to the donor.
- Each child must be treated with dignity and photographed wearing the new clothing outfit that is part of his or her gift
- There must be no requests for donations through tele-marketing or mail-outs. All donations must be an act of "free-will giving".
Grant Clark, Volunteer, Toronto
