By Ken Johnston
Editor
Two grade 8 students from Riverview Elementary School in Rainy River are making a difference around the world.
About a month ago Kenzie Godin and Kaylee Halverson decided to talk to teacher Mark Jodoin about doing something to help other kids around the world. “At first we thought about sponsoring a child,” said Halverson last week. “Then Mrs. Meyers (the school principal) gave us the information on this organization,” she added.
The charity she is referring to is Sleeping Children Around the World (SCAW). Its focus is to provide bed kits for kids that are not fortunate enough to have a bed to sleep in. It was founded in 1970 by Murray and Margaret Dryden, parents of hockey great Ken Dryden. Their dream is that it is the basic right of every child to have a comfortable night’s sleep.Godin and Halverson began researching the charity and planning to do a week’s worth of fund raising events. That week was last week. When it began they had hoped to maybe raise a few hundred dollars. However, by week’s end they had topped $1,300!!!!
On Monday they sold popcorn for $1.50 a bag and allowed kids to wear their pajamas all day if they donated $1. They raised approximately $150.00 that day.
Tuesday they held the largest fund raising activity of the week; a teacher auction! Students could buy a teacher and then the next day dress them up however they wanted. Mike McInerney fetched the most money when a group of students banded together to buy him for $111.00! Needless to say he was dolled up in a dress, pink wig and make-up. In total about $317.51 was raised from the auction and an electronics day where kids could pay $2 to bring hand held video games to school for the day.
On Wednesday they held a bake sale at which they raised about $230.00.
Thursday students could wear a hat at school for a $1 donation and participate in a bingo. About $190.00 was raised that day.
Friday they had a dress up in a costume/picture day. “Friends could dress up in a costume and we will have their picture taken and developed for $2 said Godin. They raised about $90 that day.
As word of their efforts spread, other donations came into the school. Riverview secretary, Terry Yeo, said Monday the grand total for the week was $1,367.59. That is 39 bed kits through SCAW!
Both were amazed at the support and neither imagined how much work it would be to hold the week of events. “I did not have any time for Face Book,” said Godin. “We were both up baking until after 11 p.m. Tuesday!”
They said that they had to do a lot of planning. As well they met with every class in the school to talk about SCAW and what they were planning to do.
All monies raised from the week will go to SCAW and will 100% be used to purchase the bed kits, which contain a mat or mattress, pillow, sheet, blanket, mosquito net (if applicable), clothes outfit, towel and school supplies. Bedkit contents vary from country to country depending upon local needs.
Sleeping Children Around the World (SCAW) donations provide bed kits to children of any race and/or religion who will benefit the most; typically being located in underdeveloped and developing countries.
Since its founding SCAW has raised over $23 million to provide bed kits for children in 33 countries. In 2009 it reached its millionth child.
Every child is photographed with the bed kit, showing the donor’s name/country (or special occasion message) on a label. Each photograph is then mailed back to the original donor, providing a timeless way for the donor to remember the child who so greatly benefited from their generosity.
