Stratford veterinarian Doug MacDougald receives Outstanding Veterinarian Award from Ontario Veterinary Medical Association at Toronto conference

As published by the Stratford Beacon Herald, February 19, 2015.

By Mike Beitz, The Beacon Herald.

Doug MacDougald’s significant contributions to the swine industry have earned him a prestigious award from the Ontario Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA).

The local vet, who practises with South West Ontario Veterinary Services in Stratford, recently received the Outstanding Veterinarian Award from the OVMA at its annual conference in Toronto.

“It’s always nice to be honoured by your peers,” said MacDougald Wednesday.

He was nominated for the award specifically for his dedication to the swine industry, and the key role he played in addressing porcine epidemic diarrhea (PED), a disease that has killed millions of piglets in the U.S. but is largely contained in Canada.

MacDougald and his fellow veterinarians have been working together, sharing information and taking a proactive approach in an effort to stamp out PED in the province.

The award acknowledges that teamwork, suggested MacDougald, who is also a founding member and current chair of the Ontario Swine Health Advisory Board.

“I think it recognizes the collaborative effort the entire swine industry has done with our approach to disease control and PED,” he said.

The approach appears to be working.

Almost all of the cases of PED that occurred last winter and spring have been eliminated, said MacDougald, and there have been “a relatively small number of cases” since the fall.

Cold weather increases the risk of PED being spread.

“It has not been – and is not running through – the industry like it did last year in the U.S.,” he said, “so it’s a great success story.”

MacDougald said he shares the Outstanding Veterinarian award with his colleagues.

“This recognition is a nod to our South West practice, and all the vets and staff that really have been phenomenally collaborative and supportive of all of the efforts we’ve taken with this industry.”

The award also recognizes MacDougald’s work in the community, as well as his involvement with the Canadian-based charity Sleeping Children Around the World.

In April, he will be heading to Togo in West Africa with that charity to lead a team of volunteers that will distribute mosquito nets, bed kits and other basic supplies to children from impoverished families.

mike.beitz@sunmedia.ca​

Dryden brings message of generosity, compassion to Trinity United Church

As published in the Listowel Banner, February 11, 2015.


Click to enlarge graphic.

Dave Dryden in Listowel To Support Sleeping Children Around the World

As posted by Blackburn News, February 9, 2015

By Blackburn News

The Sleeping Children Around The World charity had its’ chair, former NHL goalie Dave Dryden, in Listowel at Trinity United Church on Sunday.

Dryden explained the goal of the charity is sending custom bed kits to poverty-stricken countries world-wide.

Dryden highlighted some of the 9 current countries they service, including Uganda and Honduras, and about the impact it has in those areas.

“Over the course of the years we’ve actually gone to 33 different countries,” he says, “but right now the nine that we are with, we visit once a year. You talk to especially the teachers and the parents and you realize they are really having an impact on the children.”

For more info on Sleeping Children Around The World, including all the countries they deliver to, or to make a donation of $35 for a bedkit, visit www.scaw.org.

By: Ryan Drury

Children get free bed kits

As posted by The Hindu, Chennai, India, February 5, 2015.

By Staff Reporter

Children living on pavements have a good Samaritan in Sleeping Children Around the World (SCAW). The NGO based in Canada, in association with Rotary Club of Ambattur, distributed bed kits to children from three schools in the city.

Sidney Frank, consul general of Canada, to mark the distribution of one lakh bed kits, felicitated Judy Dryden, daughter of Murray Dryden founder of SCAW, at a felicifunction organised by the club on Wednesday.

Yadav Murti Sankaran, president of the club, said it had been associated with SCAW for 29 years. This year, bed kits were distributed to beneficiaries in various parts of the State including Theni, Yercaud, Vellore and Tiruchi. The kits contain a bed spread, a quilt, bed sheets, towels, pillow, raincoat and school bag.

'Awesome post" allows Stratford students to make $1,000 in donations to Local Community Food Centre, Same World Same Chance and Sleeping Children Around the World through We365

As posted by the Stratford Beacon Herald, January 28, 2015.

By Laura Cudworth, The Beacon Herald

Hilary Doupe, 11, got a very exciting e-mail recently offering her $1,000.

“My mom was looking at it for half an hour to make sure it's true,” Hilary said.

It is legitimate and recognizes the efforts of Hilary and her SOAR classmates to do something good. Hilary was selected to go to the We Day event in Toronto in the fall headed up by Free the Children founders Craig and Marc Kielburger.

The event is geared toward young people, and the best way to reach young people is through technology and social media. The Me to We movement developed an app called We365 to do just that. Hilary signed on.

Through the app, kids are given challenges to complete every day of the year.

Hilary's class, comprising gifted students, challenged themselves to raise enough money to buy a goat at Christmas. The idea came from classmate Grace Wideman, 10, who had received a World Vision catalogue in the mail and pitched the idea to her peers. They decided to have a bake sale at Northwestern Secondary School to raise the funds.

A goat costs $75. The class raised $339 – a lot of cupcakes and fudge at 50 cents each – and bought four goats.

Hilary used the We365 app to post the accomplishment. Later on, while she was at home, a message popped up in her inbox from a name she didn't recognize.

“I opened it, even though I'm not supposed to, and started screaming and ran down the stairs,” she said.

The e-mail said We365 had chosen her as the winner of the gift of empowerment challenge and wanted to “hook her up with $1,000” to go to the charity of her choice.

“You totally wowed us with your awesome post....” said Alexandra Brown, the content and community manager We365.

Last week, Hilary and her classmates chose three organizations. The Local Community Food Centre will get $325 for a kids' breakfast program, Sleeping Children Around the World will get $325 and Same World Same Chance will get $350.

Marissa Izma, co-founder of Same World Same Chance, a school program in Zambia, came to the class in October to talk about the power of one and inspired the class

In addition to the money from We365, the SOAR class has raised enough money to sponsor a SWSC girl for an entire year.

“It's snowballing,” Grace said. “We can make a difference even though we're kids.”

In all, they've raised $2,260 since the fall to benefit others.

Who knows what they'll do next.

Burlington women in India as travelling volunteers for SCAW

As posted at Inside Halton, January 14, 2015.

Burlington Post
By Kathy Yanchus

The volunteer-run charity Sleeping Children Around the World (SCAW) began in 1970 with the distribution of bedkits in Pune, India.

At that time, 50 bedkits, which consisted of bedding and life-saving mosquito netting, were handed out to impoverished children.

Forty-five years later, the organization launched by Murray and Margaret Dryden has raised more than $23 million for bedkits — at $35 per kit — which have been distributed in more than 30 countries.

More than one million children have received personal bundles to date, and the number of destitute kids around the world who benefit from the comfort of a bed, and an effective tool against deadly malaria, keeps rising.

As a new year begins, another 4,000 kids — in the Indian city where it all began — will receive bedkits through a SCAW distribution trip to Pune and two Burlington women will be there.

Karen Bridgman-Acker and Faith Clark are two of the six volunteers travelling to the city, located southwest of Mumbai, where they will distribute 800 bedkits on each of five days.

During their two-week trip (Jan. 14-22), they will be traveling into some of Pune’s poorest areas accompanied by local Rotarians, one of the service clubs, church groups and charitable organizations that have partnered with SCAW. These local volunteers are responsible for purchasing items for the bedkit, selecting the recipients and organizing distribution sites.

After the essentials of bedding and netting are purchased for every bedkit, the remainder of the $35 is spent on items such as clothing and school supplies, with needs varying from country to country.

“When we get there, we meet up with the overseas volunteers and then we work together to distribute bedkits,” said Bridgman-Acker, who is on her second SCAW trip, the first one being to Kenya in 2011. “The money is donated here (in Canada) and then SCAW provides money to the Rotarians to buy the items for the bedkits.”

“The donor is guaranteed that 100 per cent of their donation goes to the children,” so all of the $35 is used, added Clark, who has participated in distribution journeys to Honduras, Bangladesh, Mumbai and the Philippines.

SCAW is totally volunteer-based, one of the main draws for Bridgman-Acker and Clark. No one is paid a salary and travelling volunteers pay their own way.

“It’s just so well run. You know exactly where your money’s going,” said Clark. “It’s all volunteers. SCAW does no advertising or promotion so 100 per cent goes entirely to the bedkits.”

The retired teacher was introduced to SCAW when others donated bedkits on her behalf. Having participated in teacher training programs through the Canadian Teachers Federation in Nigeria and Belize, Clark thought SCAW was a good match for her, especially with her fondness for travel.

“I call it travel at its best,” said Clark.

Bridgman-Acker happened to read a story about SCAW and was impressed not just with the charity’s lack of administrative fees in its cost structure, but the tremendous good resulting from small individual donations.

“Thirty-five dollars is so within reach,” added Clark.

Despite a career as a social worker, nothing could prepare her for the destitute living conditions she witnessed, said Bridgman-Acker.

“It’s eye-opening to see what some people live like. My background is in child welfare so I’ve seen a lot of the bad side of life, but I don’t know if you can prepare yourself for that.”

The Canadian group will be staying in a central location and

will be driven to different villages, usually schools — the farthest one 135 kilometres away — to distribute bedkits, one of about a dozen such supervised trips this year.

Both women have fond memories of the children’s faces upon receiving their bedkits.

“You see the kids lining up for bedkits in bare feet or shoes falling off their feet because they’re wearing their father’s shoes,” said Bridgman-Acker. “They are just so excited to get their bedkits.”

“But they come in singing and dancing, smiling,” said Clark.

When in Kenya, Bridgman-Acker marveled at the children who walked 10 miles from their homes to the distribution site and with the bundles balanced on their heads, turned around and walked back.

Experiencing firsthand the realities of life in these desperately poor countries and the opportunity to make a difference keeps them involved.

“I do feel it does make a difference. I know there’s thousands and thousands of kids who won’t get a bedkit this year but there are 4,000 that will, and then next year there will be another 4,000,” said Bridgman-Acker.

On each of the five distribution days, volunteers rotate jobs, sometimes taking photos of each child with their bedkits for the purposes of sending to each donor, other times handing out bedkits to the children.

Clark and Bridgman-Acker also will write live blogs of their trip and an article for an upcoming SCAW newsletter. They, as well as all travelling volunteers, are also available to give presentations.

Clark, who has done numerous presentations to promote the organization and raise funds, said the photos shown usually speak for themselves.

While in India they expect to tour the site where outfits for the bedkits were made.

While Clark comes homes after the two weeks, Bridgman-Acker’s husband is meeting her in India where the couple will continue their travels.

To follow the volunteer blogs or find out more information about SCAW, visit www.scaw.org.

New Mayor Spreads Christmas Cheer

As posted by the Meaford Independent, December 29, 2014

Meaford's new Mayor, Barb Clumpus, helped serve the annual Christmas Turkey Dinner hosted by the Christ Anglican Church on Sunday December 21.

Organizers said that 83 people from all walks of life enjoyed a great meal that was donated by many. Over $600 was donated at the door for an Ontario charity, "Sleeping Children Around the World" - enough to provide bed-kits and school supplies for 18 children.

Elves pictured above serving dinner: Barb Clumpus, Gene and Gail Latour, Carol Norton, The Rev. Cathy Miller, Dave McKenzie

Gift fair boosts local charities

As posted by the Vernon Morning Star, December 10, 2014.

by Staff Writer - Vernon Morning Star

Junior Chamber International’s Alternative Gift Fair was a success.

The event raised more than $6,000 for 13 local and international charities.

“Individual donations ranged anywhere from $5 to $1,200. It goes to show that even a little bit goes a long way,” said Sue Solymosi, event co-chairperson.

Those who made donations received gift certificates which they can now give as holiday gifts.

The participating organizations included the Community Dental Access Centre, the Family Resource Centre, the Good Food Box, JCI Vernon Helping Hands Project, the Kindale Developmental Association, the Road Home Rescue and Safekeeping Society, Sleeping Children Around the World, Special Olympics, Teens Count Too, the Vernon Women’s Transition Society, the Upper Room Mission, Wellspring Foundation for Education and the Zimbabwe Project.

“It was a great event for all the organizations to come together and showcase all the work they do in our community. We can’t wait for JCI Vernon to grow this event next year.” said Hailey Rilkoff, event co-chairperson.

The Bakken Invitation Announces 2014 Honorees: 10 Inspiring People Who Live On and Give On

As posted in the Register-Guardian, Minneapolis, December 8, 2014.

MINNEAPOLIS - December 8, 2014 - Medtronic (NYSE: MDT) today announced the names of 10 people from around the world who will be honored as part of the Bakken Invitation, a global program launched in 2013 that celebrates and connects people who, with the help of medical technology, have overcome health challenges and are now making a difference in their communities.

The Bakken Invitation Award recognizes outstanding contributions of service, volunteerism, and leadership. Every year, Bakken Invitation Honorees nominate charities of their choice to each receive a $20,000 grant from Medtronic Philanthropy. The honorees also travel to Hawaii in 2015 for a community service and celebration event where they meet Medtronic co-founder and program inspiration, Earl Bakken.

This year's Bakken Honorees serve communities around the world in many different ways, including fighting sex trafficking, providing access to scoliosis screening, and helping poor children in India get a good night's sleep.

"The stories of how patients are giving back remind us of the potential we have-big or small-to impact the world," Earl Bakken said. "When faced with a life-threatening health challenge, these individuals took the extra time they had been granted to do something great."

Bakken himself is a patient, with a pacemaker, coronary stents and insulin pump giving him "extra life," which he has used to give back through substantial community involvement.

Read the 10 honorees' stories below, and view many other stories of people around the world living on and giving on at the Bakken Community. On this site, anyone with a medical device can connect with other people who share similar health conditions, geographies or charitable passions. For every story shared, Medtronic Philanthropy will donate $10 to Project HOPE (Health Opportunities for People Everywhere) to help ensure that medical technology is available in underserved communities around the world.

For more details about each of this year's honorees, and to read their inspirational tips on living and giving, please visit www.LiveOnGiveOn.org.

The 2014 Bakken Invitation honorees are:

David Watkins, 43 of Snohomish, Wash., United States "Start living your legacy." Throughout his childhood and into early adulthood, David Watkins was living with an undiagnosed bicuspid aortic valve. By the time he was diagnosed, he was at risk of aneurysm, and made a difficult decision to undergo surgery to replace his heart valve. The last words he remembers thinking as he was being wheeled into cardiac surgery were, "How will I be remembered?" After recovery, he decided to start living the legacy he wanted to leave: using the power of sport to help others live their dreams through the IronHeart Foundation.

Samantha Petersen, 17 of South Windsor, Conn., United States "Embrace what's difficult." Diagnosed with scoliosis at the age of 11, Sami's young dream of swimming at the Olympics abruptly ended. At 13, she could she no longer swim. Even standing became extremely difficult after just a few minutes. In 2012, after her spinal fusion surgery corrected the curve in her spine, then 15-year-old Sami turned her passion and new-found physical freedom into SHIFT Scoliosis, an organization she created to provide screenings and support for all people with spinal conditions.

Rajnikant Reshamwala, 77 of Mumbai, India "Ask yourself: Can I help? Then why not do it?" A lifelong volunteer, Raj was actively involved in helping poor children in Mumbai when blockage in his coronary arteries made physical activity very difficult. It became hard to keep up with his community work. In January 2013, he received coronary stents to remove the blockage. He found himself reenergized, and rededicated to helping Sleeping Children Around The World, an international organization that helps kids get a good night's sleep.

Gretchen Merritt, 35 of Hopkins, Minn., United States "What makes you angry? Work to change that." Gretchen Merritt has lived with type-1 diabetes most of her life. For her, diabetes did not hold her back from accomplishing her goals, but it made her carefully think about her health, and how she directs her passion. At 22 she began using an insulin pump, which she says made a difference in her quality of life. She pours her passion into fighting to free sex slaves in India through Freedom Firm.

Joan Talkowsky, 65 of Tel Aviv, Israel "Take one little step out of your immediate circle." Joan Talkowsky knows the power of small, personal interactions. She is a long-time volunteer (her time spent rocking babies to sleep in the hospital helped doctors catch her second-degree heart block and get her the pacemaker she needed). Now she works with asylum seekers, foreign workers and others who have no civil status in Israel through Physicians for Human Rights and similar organizations.

Lucilla Bossi, 64 of Milano, Italy "Savor the fantastic gift of a busy day." Lucilla has lived with Parkinson's Disease for nearly 30 years, struggling to learn how to move throughout daily life without attracting undue attention. Since 2001, after receiving deep brain stimulation, she has worked to improve quality of life for Parkinson's Disease patients in Italy. Clint Benson Doyle, 27 of Kailua Kona, Hawaii, United States "Creativity is a healing force." Clint Doyle suffered brain damage from an early age when he experienced sudden cardiac arrest. Doctors told his parents he may not survive. But he has. And today, one brushstroke at a time, Clint helps children imagine their dreams and then turn them into reality. Clint, who now has an implantable cardiac defibrillator, leads art programs for children with special needs, where he inspires and challenges them to stay focused on their goals.

Krystal Boyea, 27 of Bridgetown, Barbados "Sharing your story can change a life" When diabetes is stigmatized and hidden, it can be even more deadly. Krystal Boyea has devoted much of her young life to sharing how she has lived a healthy, full life with diabetes and encouraging others. From her first online campaign to talks at the United Nations and TEDx, Krystal has become the face of diabetes in Barbados and the Caribbean. She also cofounded a groundbreaking diabetes clinic in Barbados. Her first project as a youth leader for diabetes awareness was to create giant posters of herself and others living healthy lives with the disease. Krystal has since cofounded a clinic and is a powerful voice for people living with diabetes.

Igor Chamilla, 59 of Sliac, Slovakia "When you teach, you learn." After Igor Chamilla's cardiac arrest, bypass surgery and pacemaker implant, he decided to learn everything he could about his disease and how to live a full life with it. But that wasn't enough for him. He now offers educational courses for 2,000-3,600 cardiac patients a year in Slovakia through his foundation, Kardioklub SK in Spa Sliac, which specializes in treating cardiac disorders.

Haruko Sato, 56 of Tokyo, Japan "Bloom where you are planted." In 2012, Haruko Sato underwent surgery to receive deep brain stimulation therapy to treat cervical dystonia, a painful condition in which the neck muscles contract involuntarily, causing the head to twist or turn to one side. She now works tirelessly to support dystonia patients as well as people with all sorts of disabilities in Japan.

For additional information and photos of the 2014 Honorees, visit www.LiveOnGiveOninfo.com.

About Medtronic Philanthropy Medtronic Philanthropy focuses on expanding access to quality chronic disease care among underserved populations worldwide, in addition to supporting health initiatives in communities where Medtronic employees live and give.

About Medtronic Medtronic, Inc. (www.medtronic.com), headquartered in Minneapolis, is the global leader in medical technology-alleviating pain, restoring health and extending life for millions of people around the world.

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Contacts: Rich Fischer Public Relations +1-763-505-2975 Caroline Geiser Exponent PR +1-612-305-6194

Gift fair provides alternatives

As posted in the Vernon Morning Star, December 5, 2014.

By Staff Writer, Vernon Morning Star

The fifth annual Alternative Gift Fair takes place Saturday.

The event, which is hosted by Junior Chamber International, is at the Arbour on 27th Street (next to Vernon Alliance Church) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The fair offers holiday shoppers an easy way to buy gifts of charitable donations and to support their favourite causes. Each participating organization offers a variety of meaningful gifts of help in price ranges that start as low as $10. Shoppers receive cards and inserts that identify their donations.

“We have a fantastic group of organizations participating this year,” said Sue Solymosi, JCI Vernon Alternative Gift Fair co-chairperson.

“It’s the perfect place to pick up meaningful gifts for family and friends. We even had a few businesses buying gift certificates to give out to staff and clients last year.”

In 2013, the fair raised more than $5,000 for local organizations.

“This time of year is the perfect time to give back to your community,” said co-chairperson Hailey Rilkoff, “These donations are great to add to your holiday shopping list.”

Participating organizations are the Community Dental Access Centre; Family Resource Centre; Good Food Box; JCI Vernon Helping Hands Project; Kindale Developmental Association; Road Home Rescue and Safekeeping Society; Sleeping Children Around the World; Special Olympics – Vernon; Teens Count Too; Vernon Women’s Transition Society; Upper Room Mission; Wellspring Foundation for Education; and the Zimbabwe Project.

For more information, e-mail jcialternativegiftfair@gmail.com or visit www.jcivernon.com.

Brooklin teacher pays it forward

As posted at Whitby This Week, November 26, 2014.

Shelley Herder, a teacher at Winchester Public School, exemplified the spirit of volunteering on her recent trip to help children in Sri Lanka.

Sri Lanka experienced more than 25 years of violence in a civil war which recently ended when government forces seized the northern area of the country.

Through an organization called Sleeping Children Around the World, and at their own expense, Ms. Herder and five other Canadians volunteered to deliver bed kits to 4,000 of Sri Lanka’s neediest children.

Ms. Herder and her team were helped by the local Sri Lankan Rotary Club, which provided a bus and aided with translations. Sri Lankan teachers were asked to nominate children between the ages of six and 12 who were most in need. Each child received a bed kit consisting of two sets of locally made clothes, a backpack, mosquito net, water bottle, pillow, pajamas and paper scribblers.

Bed kits are made possible by individual donations of $35. Each donor receives a picture of the child they helped along with a tag showing the donor’s name.

Ms. Herder heard about the program last year when Canon Susan Sheen visited St. Thomas Church in Brooklin and shared experiences about her trip to Bangladesh. SCAW is completely run by volunteers and 100 per cent of all donations reach the children, an important aspect of the program for Ms. Herder.

She explained that to avoid advertising costs, the only form of promotion is for volunteers to share their stories. Thank you for sharing your story with us.

For more information on Sleeping Children Around the World or to donate a bed kit, contact Shelley Herder at nanaherder@gmail.com or visit www.scaw.org.

With Christmas on its way there are programs close to home that can also use a little help. The Brooklin Christmas Hamper program is happening again this year and organizers are looking for volunteers or donations for local families. Contact David Jacob at david.jacob@markhamcruise.ca for more information.

Thank you to everyone for sharing your many stories and events from around Brooklin. If you have a story or upcoming event, please e-mail me at news@hometownmusic.ca .

Rob Hanson is the executive director for the Hometown Music Council, workshop director for Brooklin’s Mini Idol and a director for the Brooklin Spring Fair.

Give Smart: Sleeping Children Around the World

As posted by the Toronto Star, November 23, 2014.

By Katelyn Verstraten, Staff Reporter, Special to the Star

Sleeping Children Around the World (SCAW) was founded in 1970 by Murray and Margaret Dryden, parents of hockey goalies Ken and Dave Dryden. The Drydens dreamed of a world where every child benefits from a good night’s sleep, and decided to donate 50 “bed kits” to children living in poverty in India.

Forty-four years later, the charity has donated more than 1.3 million kits to children around the world. This year, around 58,000 will be distributed, according to Dave Dryden, chair of the SCAW board.

“Because my mom and dad grew up in the Depression, they really valued getting a good night’s sleep — otherwise you were useless the next day,” said Dryden, laughing. “And it’s true. Our goal with the children is to provide a sense of joy, a good night’s sleep, and hope for the next day.”

Where your money goes

SCAW distributes bed kits in nine countries, including Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Tanzania, Uganda, and Honduras. The kits differ depending on climate and culture, but typically include a mat or mattress, pillow, sheet, blanket, mosquito net, clothing, and school supplies.

“If we talk to the parents and kids, the big thing from their perspective is education,” said Dave. “That’s what they figure is the way to get out of the poverty trap. Hope is a big part of this.”

The charity works with overseas partner organizations, says Dave, and all bed-kit items are made or purchased within the country of distribution. SCAW volunteers travel to the country — paying their own expenses — to help with distribution. A photo is taken of each child with the bed kit, and sent to the Canadian donor.

All administrative costs come out of the SCAW legacy fund created by the Dryden parents. When people donate, said Dave, 100 per cent of the money goes into the bed kits.

Tri-City Gospel Chorus in Stratford

Doing good all in the family for the Brownes

As posted by the Mississauga News, November 20, 2014.

By Joseph Chin

MISSISSAUGA — Sometimes time just flies by when you’re engaged in a labour of love.

Claire Browne was in Grade 8 at Mississauga’s Green Glade Senior Public School when she organized a fundraiser for Sleeping Children Around the World, an organization that donates bed kits to children in underdeveloped countries.

Now in her fourth year at McMaster University, she’s still at it.

On Dec. 11 she and her brother Adrian, in his second year at the University of Guelph, will take time off from their studies to help host the annual Holiday Cheer to benefit SCAW.

It takes place at The Erin Mills Pump, 1900 Dundas St. W., starting at 7 p.m. Everyone is invited.

Holiday Cheer was started by the siblings’ parents – Jim and Lisa Browne – 13 years ago as a holiday get-together with neighbours and friends (hence the name Holiday Cheer). While they were at it they passed around the hat and donated the money to a worthy cause.

The Brownes also organized other fundraising initiatives.

“The first two years my family and I had toy drives to aid an emergency women’s shelter in Mississauga. The third year we collected toys for the oncology department at Rouge Valley Hospital,” said Jim.

Then his wife, a longtime teacher at the Peel school board, heard about SCAW from her principal.

Since its founding by Murray and Margaret Dryden (parents of NHLers Dave and Ken Dryden) in 1970, the Etobicoke-based charitable organization has raised more than $23 million to provide bedkits for children in underdeveloped and developing countries. Each kit, which costs $35 to put together, contains a mat, pillow, sheet, blanket, clothing, towel, school supplies and a mosquito net, if needed. In 2009 it reached its millionth child.

“When Lisa talked to me and our children about this organization, we knew that we had to get involved,” said Browne. “By raising kits for these children, we are giving them hope for a better life and a good night’s sleep.”

In the nine years to date, the Sherwood Forrest family has raised funds for more than 1,800 kits. The kits, he noted, go a long way because they can benefit the entire family and a lot of the stuff can be handed down to younger children.

Holiday Cheer will be around for a long time.

“We have always imparted on our children for them to get a good education because an education gives you options,” Browne said. “When Lisa and I are no longer able to carry on this event, I have the utmost confidence in my children that they will carry this tradition on.”

Eileen Rademacher Helps SCAW

Submitted by Eileen Rademacher

Click on graphic to see larger version.

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Sunday, November 30^th 2014

CRAFT SALE
Applewood
The Shaver Homestead
450 The West Mall
Etobicoke
10am to 3 pm

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I will have a table at this
event selling my art work.
All proceeds will be donated
to
SLEEPING CHILDREN AROUND THE WORLD

Global Gift Mall offers unique ideas

As posted by the Goderich Signal Star, November 19, 2014.

Lakeshore United Church in Goderich is hosting the eighth annual Global Giving Mall on Sat., Nov. 22 and Sun., Nov. 23.

This event offers unique opportunities to source alternative ideas for Christmas gift giving that benefit local and international relief and aid projects.

The mall features displays by charitable organizations offering fair trade items for sale or “gifts-in-kind,” which can be purchased in the name of a loved one and donated to assist Third World and Canadian relief projects.

Participating charitable groups include Ten Thousand Villages, Friends of the Orphans Canada, Sleeping Children Around the World, Canadian Foodgrains Bank, Fair Trade Coffee and Tea and local relief initiatives. There is truly something to appeal to everyone’s interest.

“Consider a gift that spreads peace and hope in the world and goes a step beyond the traditional consumptive giving of Christmas,” organizers said in a media release. “Gifts of this nature make a true difference in the lives of those less fortunate around the world.”

All proceeds from the mall go directly to the charities to support existing and ongoing programs.

The event takes place in the gym at Lakeshore United Church, 56 North St. in Goderich on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. A light lunch featuring “Soups of the World” is available on Saturday from noon to 1:30 p.m. for an $8 donation.

For more information, contact the church office at 519-524-2103. Everyone is welcome.

Fundraising Dinner in Ayr

Submitted by Helen Scutt.

Jan Gayman helps SCAW

Submitted by Jan Gayman.

I wanted to share something that two friends of mine have been doing for the past four years. In 2010 after I shared my first experience of traveling with SCAW with my choir friends, Jan and Jill, they began a fundraising project. Jan is a quilter and decided to use up her left over fabric by making gift bags in different sizes. She sells them at choir practice and other venues and buys bed kits with the money raised. She has purchased over 20 to date. Jill helps her with the organization and also makes gift cards to sell with the bags. Here are two photos of this fundraising project.

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Jan Hember selling gift bags she has sewn.
The proceeds go to the purchase of bedkits.

Jan Hember’s gift bags and Jill Evan’s gift cards for sale. Jan and Jill are members
of the Waterloo County Teachers’ Choir. They began this project after hearing about
a fellow choir member’s experiences as a SCAW traveling volunteer.

Book Santa Experience now at Sherway Gardens

As posted by the Etobicoke Guardian, November 10, 2014.

Book your Santa Experience at Sherway Gardens early to avoid disappointment.

Santa Claus has returned from the North Pole to Sherway’s centre square to take children on a journey of fun.

Five 30-minute shows followed by 20-minute photo sessions run daily at 9:30 a.m.; 11:30 a.m.; 2 p.m.; 4 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Maximum two adults may accompany each child. Parents are encouraged to take photos.

Santa is at Sherway until Dec. 19.

Reservations available strictly online. Visit sherwaysanta.com to order or for more information. All ticket sales are final.

Tickets are $15 per child. All proceeds benefit Etobicoke-based Sleeping Children Around the World and The Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada.

In the past 12 years, Sherway has raised more than $400,000 for Sleeping Children Around the World. The Children’s Wish Foundation is a new recipient this year.

Kids Art for a Cause

As posted by Global News, November 7, 2014.

By Sarolta Saskiw
Videographer

Click graphic to see video.

They are not your typical grade two and three class.

They are the students of Westminster Elementary School, looking to make a big difference on a global scale. They started their very own non-profit organization, Kids Art for a Cause.

“Young kids have this drive and this desire to want to change the world, but often they just don’t know how to go about doing it,” said teacher Grant Bertamini.

The concept encourages students in any grade to create art work based on social issues. They can then sell their work on the Kids Art for a Cause website with 100 percent of the proceeds going to their charity of choice.

Bertamini, who came up with the idea, said it is a great way for his students to be creative, while learning about the importance of giving back.

“I feel like our world is broken in a lot of ways and we need to fix it, and this is the next generation of change makers.”

Bertamini’s class did their first project in October. They donated all the proceeds to Sleeping Children Around the World, which provides bedding kits to kids in developing countries.

“If there’s one thing I can teach these kids is that they are powerful. They don’t have to be passive in their lives and in this world. They can create change.”

Once the word got out about Kids Art for a Cause, other local schools and youth groups have expressed interest in getting their children involved.

To learn more about the organization, please visit: kidsartforacause.ca