Sunday, May 13, 2007: 2 pm
Mother's Day Concert in support of Sleeping Children Around the World
There will be a concert of sacred and secular music performed by The Chancel Choir of St. James United Church, under the direction of Clive Dunstan Mus. Bac., A.R.C.T., C.R.C.C.O. With Special Guest Pianist: Annie Zhou, Age 8, and winner of the RCM Scholarship.
Location: St. James United Church is at 400 Burnhamthorpe Road, Etobicoke
Tickets: Adults $10.00. Children (under 12) $5.00
Information: St. James United Church (416) 622-4113
Don't miss this opportunity to treat your mother on Mother's Day to a wonderful concert and support a charity which aids thousands of underprivileged children of the Third World, through the dedication of Canadian volunteers.
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Friday, May 11, 2007
The big business of giving - and the mom & pop story
Commentary in Inside Stratford/Perth that was published on May 11, 2007
It refers to the article mentioned here earlier.
One of the most striking details of the story we ran last week on Doug MacDougald and Sleeping Children Around the World (SCAW) didn't actually get much mention in the piece.
The structure of the charity is designed to make sure absolutely every penny in donations towards bed-kits goes towards bed-kits. When a volunteer at SCAW's head office – a brown brick bungalow in Toronto – goes out to buy stamps, the money for those stamps comes from a completely segregated revenue stream.
Operating expenses (stamps, phone bills, that sort of thing) are 95% paid for out of investment income. When you send a cheque to SCAW, it either goes into the the operating account or the bed-kit account, and never the twain shall meet.
It's an interesting model because it's so austere. Everybody buys his or her own plane ticket, and if there isn't enough money to buy toner for the photocopier this month, there simply isn't any way to get it from the bed-kit account.
Knowing that it's easy to spend (and waste) other people's money, the Dryden family, of Toronto, have built a group that does the most possible good with the least possible opportunity for graft.
The disadvantage of this model lies in the independence of the organization. Non-profits that don't take government money, don't pool resources, don't broadcast their message with costly, sophisticated ad campaigns, and don't hire specialized administrative staff are very little fish, indeed.
Given the demands on the average donor's attention, the constant hectoring of disease lobbies and foreign aid groups and environmental advocates and so on, it's hard to imagine any kind of fair distribution of money to the best causes. When charities "raise awareness", they are really trying to raise awareness of their cause higher than awareness of other causes; otherwise, they won't get your support.
This leads to a kind of shouting match. Hardly the best way to choose how we allocate our "greater good" resources.
The alternative, of course, is to pass off responsibility for prioritizing charitable spending to someone who we believe is an expert, a professional. Just give the money to the government or the United Way and let them sort it out. They do this stuff all day, after all.
And the downside here is bloat, waste, petty corruption, and loss of control on the part of the individual donor. So pick your poison, I suppose. Still, the Drydens have done something pretty special, it seems to me, and it is hard to imagine a way to give money that would provide more good per dollar.
Here is a link to the original article.
It refers to the article mentioned here earlier.
One of the most striking details of the story we ran last week on Doug MacDougald and Sleeping Children Around the World (SCAW) didn't actually get much mention in the piece.
The structure of the charity is designed to make sure absolutely every penny in donations towards bed-kits goes towards bed-kits. When a volunteer at SCAW's head office – a brown brick bungalow in Toronto – goes out to buy stamps, the money for those stamps comes from a completely segregated revenue stream.
Operating expenses (stamps, phone bills, that sort of thing) are 95% paid for out of investment income. When you send a cheque to SCAW, it either goes into the the operating account or the bed-kit account, and never the twain shall meet.
It's an interesting model because it's so austere. Everybody buys his or her own plane ticket, and if there isn't enough money to buy toner for the photocopier this month, there simply isn't any way to get it from the bed-kit account.
Knowing that it's easy to spend (and waste) other people's money, the Dryden family, of Toronto, have built a group that does the most possible good with the least possible opportunity for graft.
The disadvantage of this model lies in the independence of the organization. Non-profits that don't take government money, don't pool resources, don't broadcast their message with costly, sophisticated ad campaigns, and don't hire specialized administrative staff are very little fish, indeed.
Given the demands on the average donor's attention, the constant hectoring of disease lobbies and foreign aid groups and environmental advocates and so on, it's hard to imagine any kind of fair distribution of money to the best causes. When charities "raise awareness", they are really trying to raise awareness of their cause higher than awareness of other causes; otherwise, they won't get your support.
This leads to a kind of shouting match. Hardly the best way to choose how we allocate our "greater good" resources.
The alternative, of course, is to pass off responsibility for prioritizing charitable spending to someone who we believe is an expert, a professional. Just give the money to the government or the United Way and let them sort it out. They do this stuff all day, after all.
And the downside here is bloat, waste, petty corruption, and loss of control on the part of the individual donor. So pick your poison, I suppose. Still, the Drydens have done something pretty special, it seems to me, and it is hard to imagine a way to give money that would provide more good per dollar.
Here is a link to the original article.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Harbour Grace woman inspired by worthy cause
Article published in The Compass, Trinity and Conception Bays, Nova Scotia on May 8, 2007"
Bill Bowman, The Compass
Tens of thousands of children around the world are getting a more comfortable night's sleep, thanks to the inspiration and generosity of one man.
Murray Dryden may not be as well known across Canada as his hockey legend son, Ken, who went on to a political career as a federal cabinet minister and candidate for leadership of the federal Liberal party. But the elder Dryden will long be remembered as the founder and driving force behind an organization, which, for 37 years, has been helping disadvantaged children around the world.
Murray Dryden, founder of Sleeping Children Around the World came from humble roots, having grown up on a small farm in Manitoba.
As a young man, his desire to become independent saw him leave home. But instead of heading west, he headed east.
After more than two years of travel, he would end up in Toronto, a journey that, under normal circumstances, would have taken a matter of days.
But this was the early 1930s - better known as the dirty thirties - the years of the Great Depression, when abject poverty was rampant and the road to anywhere was a rough one.
Gwen Morris of Harbour Grace will never forget meeting Murray Dryden in 1989. Impressed by how "down to earth" Dryden was, Morris was also inspired by his strong dedication and commitment to the cause he was championing.
Last Monday, April 29, the soft-spoken Harbour Grace woman came to the Carbonear Memorial Library to speak to members of the Harbour Grace and Carbonear Library boards about Dryden and the organization he founded.
Recounting his first journey from home, she told the group: "Most nights he slept anywhere but in a comfortable bed. Very seldom having a good meal, he sometimes went for days without anything to eat. Most of the time, all he had was the clothes on his back."
But in Toronto, he worked hard to get on his feet and build up a successful construction business. Eventually, his success would allow him to travel the world.
In 1970 while travelling in Pakistan, Murray Dryden stumbled over a child sleeping in a street.
According to a volunteer worker with his organization, the image of that child was to grow and become the focus of his and Margaret's (his wife's) retirement years.
The image of that sleeping street child must have reminded Dryden of his own humble beginnings at home in Canada. He once said: "There is nothing more peaceful than a sleeping child."
When he retired in 1972, Dryden devoted all his time and energy to Sleeping Children Around the World (SCAW), the new Canadian charity he and his wife had launched two years earlier.
The organization's main focus is to provide bed kits to children around the world, who do not have a place to put their heads at night.
The bed kits include: a mattress, blanket, pillow and pillow cases, a toy, two sets of pyjamas, pencils, paper and a carrying bag. Sometimes, depending on the location, other items such as mosquito nets may be provided, if they are needed.
The organization works in third world countries where kits are distributed, through churches, the Salvation Army, and service clubs like Rotary, YMCA and Kiwanis International.
It was through Kiwanis that Gwen Morris first met Murray Dryden. Gwen's late husband, Frank, was a past president of the Kiwanis Club of Carbonear and Governor of Kiwanis for Newfoundland and Labrador. They met Dryden at a Kiwanis International convention in 1989.
Children in India, Indonesia, Portugal, the Philippines, Columbia, Argentina, Thailand and Honduras have all benefitted from the bed kits provided by Sleeping Children Around the World.
While the donations to provide the bed kits come from Canada, the kits themselves are actually made up in the countries where they are being used - providing much needed employment there.
The numbers of kits distributed on each trip can vary from 1,000 to 11,000.
Some 5,000 bed kits were distributed to needy children in Kenya in March of this year, bringing to 869,850, the total number of kits provided since the organization was launched.
Recalling that when he started the organization, Murray Dryden's goal was to provide a million bed kits to needy children, Gwen Morris said last week, "they are getting close to reaching his goal."
One woman who helped distribute bed kits in India said: "There is such a huge quantity of unconditional love that accompanies each gift of a bed kit, that to be part of a recent distribution was a very healing experience for me."
In the early 1970s, when the organization was launched, the bed kits could be provided for $15 each. Now inflation has doubled that cost to $30, which Gwen Morris says, is still not a lot for people who live here in Canada, where we have so much, compared to those who live in third world countries.
When they started their worthy cause, she said, "the Drydens were determined that not one cent from donors would be used for administration."
Murray Dryden wrote three books: With God Nothing is Impossible, For the Love of His Children and his autobiography.
All proceeds from these works went towards SCAW. He also started three Christmas tree farms, the profits from which also go to the worthy cause.
To underscore how passionate Dryden felt about SCAW, he travelled extensively and spoke prolifically about his cause - up to as many as 30 speaking engagements in a single month, and some 257 presentations in one year (1990).
In 1988, Murray Dryden received the Kiwanis International Service Award of $10,000, which he promptly turned over to SCAW.
After devoting the last 34 years of his life to the cause, Murray Dryden died in 2004. He was 94. But for anyone who thought it impossible to give any more to any cause after one's death, the Drydens' family home was recently turned over to Sleeping Children Around the World.
After speaking at the Carbonear Library last week, Gwen Morris presented copies of Dryden's book, For the Love of His Children to the Carbonear and Harbour Grace public libraries. The books were donated in memory of her late husband, Frank Morris.
While most of the volunteers come from Ontario, donations come in from all over the country.
Sleeping Children Around the World is an organization not very well known in this province. Indeed most of those who attended last week's talk had never heard of it. But Gwen Morris feels so strongly about the organization and its work, she is willing to speak to church and community groups and do anything she can to help spread the word. "I think I've got some of the passion Murray Dryden had for it," she says.
Bill Bowman, The Compass
Tens of thousands of children around the world are getting a more comfortable night's sleep, thanks to the inspiration and generosity of one man.
Murray Dryden may not be as well known across Canada as his hockey legend son, Ken, who went on to a political career as a federal cabinet minister and candidate for leadership of the federal Liberal party. But the elder Dryden will long be remembered as the founder and driving force behind an organization, which, for 37 years, has been helping disadvantaged children around the world.
Murray Dryden, founder of Sleeping Children Around the World came from humble roots, having grown up on a small farm in Manitoba.
As a young man, his desire to become independent saw him leave home. But instead of heading west, he headed east.
After more than two years of travel, he would end up in Toronto, a journey that, under normal circumstances, would have taken a matter of days.
But this was the early 1930s - better known as the dirty thirties - the years of the Great Depression, when abject poverty was rampant and the road to anywhere was a rough one.
Gwen Morris of Harbour Grace will never forget meeting Murray Dryden in 1989. Impressed by how "down to earth" Dryden was, Morris was also inspired by his strong dedication and commitment to the cause he was championing.
Last Monday, April 29, the soft-spoken Harbour Grace woman came to the Carbonear Memorial Library to speak to members of the Harbour Grace and Carbonear Library boards about Dryden and the organization he founded.
Recounting his first journey from home, she told the group: "Most nights he slept anywhere but in a comfortable bed. Very seldom having a good meal, he sometimes went for days without anything to eat. Most of the time, all he had was the clothes on his back."
But in Toronto, he worked hard to get on his feet and build up a successful construction business. Eventually, his success would allow him to travel the world.
In 1970 while travelling in Pakistan, Murray Dryden stumbled over a child sleeping in a street.
According to a volunteer worker with his organization, the image of that child was to grow and become the focus of his and Margaret's (his wife's) retirement years.
The image of that sleeping street child must have reminded Dryden of his own humble beginnings at home in Canada. He once said: "There is nothing more peaceful than a sleeping child."
When he retired in 1972, Dryden devoted all his time and energy to Sleeping Children Around the World (SCAW), the new Canadian charity he and his wife had launched two years earlier.
The organization's main focus is to provide bed kits to children around the world, who do not have a place to put their heads at night.
The bed kits include: a mattress, blanket, pillow and pillow cases, a toy, two sets of pyjamas, pencils, paper and a carrying bag. Sometimes, depending on the location, other items such as mosquito nets may be provided, if they are needed.
The organization works in third world countries where kits are distributed, through churches, the Salvation Army, and service clubs like Rotary, YMCA and Kiwanis International.
It was through Kiwanis that Gwen Morris first met Murray Dryden. Gwen's late husband, Frank, was a past president of the Kiwanis Club of Carbonear and Governor of Kiwanis for Newfoundland and Labrador. They met Dryden at a Kiwanis International convention in 1989.
Children in India, Indonesia, Portugal, the Philippines, Columbia, Argentina, Thailand and Honduras have all benefitted from the bed kits provided by Sleeping Children Around the World.
While the donations to provide the bed kits come from Canada, the kits themselves are actually made up in the countries where they are being used - providing much needed employment there.
The numbers of kits distributed on each trip can vary from 1,000 to 11,000.
Some 5,000 bed kits were distributed to needy children in Kenya in March of this year, bringing to 869,850, the total number of kits provided since the organization was launched.
Recalling that when he started the organization, Murray Dryden's goal was to provide a million bed kits to needy children, Gwen Morris said last week, "they are getting close to reaching his goal."
One woman who helped distribute bed kits in India said: "There is such a huge quantity of unconditional love that accompanies each gift of a bed kit, that to be part of a recent distribution was a very healing experience for me."
In the early 1970s, when the organization was launched, the bed kits could be provided for $15 each. Now inflation has doubled that cost to $30, which Gwen Morris says, is still not a lot for people who live here in Canada, where we have so much, compared to those who live in third world countries.
When they started their worthy cause, she said, "the Drydens were determined that not one cent from donors would be used for administration."
Murray Dryden wrote three books: With God Nothing is Impossible, For the Love of His Children and his autobiography.
All proceeds from these works went towards SCAW. He also started three Christmas tree farms, the profits from which also go to the worthy cause.
To underscore how passionate Dryden felt about SCAW, he travelled extensively and spoke prolifically about his cause - up to as many as 30 speaking engagements in a single month, and some 257 presentations in one year (1990).
In 1988, Murray Dryden received the Kiwanis International Service Award of $10,000, which he promptly turned over to SCAW.
After devoting the last 34 years of his life to the cause, Murray Dryden died in 2004. He was 94. But for anyone who thought it impossible to give any more to any cause after one's death, the Drydens' family home was recently turned over to Sleeping Children Around the World.
After speaking at the Carbonear Library last week, Gwen Morris presented copies of Dryden's book, For the Love of His Children to the Carbonear and Harbour Grace public libraries. The books were donated in memory of her late husband, Frank Morris.
While most of the volunteers come from Ontario, donations come in from all over the country.
Sleeping Children Around the World is an organization not very well known in this province. Indeed most of those who attended last week's talk had never heard of it. But Gwen Morris feels so strongly about the organization and its work, she is willing to speak to church and community groups and do anything she can to help spread the word. "I think I've got some of the passion Murray Dryden had for it," she says.
Monday, May 7, 2007
No Empty Gesture
An article published in Inside Stratford/Perth, May 7, 2007Local leaves big smiles, brings home a full heart
A Stratford veterinarian says spending more than two weeks in India distributing 7,500 bed-kits to children in the area around Mumbai (Bombay) has taught him lessons he won't soon forget.
Doug MacDougald, who, with four other Ontario volunteers, returned from India in February, told Inside Stratford/Perth, "We all know intellectually what conditions are like in places like India; we've all seen pictures, on television, in the newspapers. But in interacting with the people, and especially the kids, I feel I've come to know it emotionally. It's a very humbling experience, and the feeling of having gained a much broader perspective still hasn't faded from me."
The volunteers oversaw the distribution of bed-kits, each comprised of a sleeping mat, pillow, blanket, quilt, towel, lunch box, water bottle, rain coat, two sets of clothes, and a full complement of school supplies, on behalf of Sleeping Children Around the World (SCAW). The charity was founded in 1970 by Margaret and Murray Dryden, the parents of politician and NHL goaltender Ken Dryden.
"I'm at a stage in my life where I'm looking to do different things, find different purposes," MacDougald said, "ways I can give my time and my energy." He talks about his parents' many years of involvement with SCAW, and the steady stream of photos of children receiving bed-kits their donations in his name, in his children's names, and latterly in his grandchildren's names, have brought in the mail.
His trip to India continues his family's decades-long connection with the subcontinent: his parents have always designated their bed-kit donations for children in India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, in large part because his father was an RCAF officer stationed in India during the Second World War.
He went on to talk about some of the children he met. The distribution, he said, targeted children between 6 and 12 years old, and the children had been selected from area schools. Their parents, guardians, and grandparents, he said, were "auto-rickshaw drivers or construction workers, many, many of them making less than a dollar a day. They're making bricks, working in agriculture, or in textiles."
He mentioned a road crew he saw on one of the volunteers' drives through the countryside: "Even in road construction, everything is manual labour. There was a crew of men ditching beside the road, and they were digging the ditch with their hands." India has an abundance of people willing to work, he said, noting that "There is a huge demographic bulge. More than 50% of the 1.2 billion people there are under 25 years old."
And in spite of SCAW's good work, there are always more children who need a bed-kit than can be reached. MacDougald recalled one distribution at a school next to a brick yard. "There were these three little girls standing off to one side, among the bricks, watching, interested; but they didn't go to school." Because the selection of needy children had been done in partnership with local schools, kids like these simply remained invisible. But what struck MacDougald was the children's cheerfulness in the face of poverty, their "big smiles, excited play, and happiness in simple things."
SCAW's philosophy places a heavy emphasis on free-will giving and minimal administrative overhead. The organization says its financial structure and reliance on volunteers, in Canada and abroad, ensures that every penny of the $30 it takes to supply one bed-kit is spent on that bed-kit's contents.
Overseas partners take care of the actual purchase and distribution of bed-kits. In MacDougald's case, the primary partner agency was the Rotary Club of Mumbai, which co-ordinated the efforts of 55 local Rotary Clubs in the surrounding towns and villages targeted in this distribution.
Rotarians sourced all of the items in the bed-kits from domestic companies, selected local children in need of assistance, and organized distribution dates and sites. Producing the bed-kits in India cuts costs; as MacDougald put it, "You can get a lot more for $30 there." The kits also don't have to be shipped as far, and the substantial sum of donated money that pays for them stays in India.
Just as SCAW relies heavily on administrative volunteers and partner charities to keep overhead low, it doesn't subsidize the work of people like MacDougald. He paid for the trip himself; and, because SCAW's mandate excludes contributions from governments, he had to do it without a tax receipt. But that doesn't seem to stop people from signing up: "There's actually a waiting list" for SCAW's travelling volunteers program, MacDougald said. As for himself? "I've only been back for a couple of months, and I've already told them I'd be interested in going again."
You might also want to read a Commentary — May 11 which said more about Sleeping Children Around the World. We're the second item.
Sunday, May 6, 2007
MusicFest 2007
Sunday, May 6, 2007: 4 pm and 7:30 pmMusicFest 2007 — Oh CANADA!
Presented by St. John’s Yorkmills Anglican Church at 19 Don Ridge Drive, Toronto (Near Yonge & York Mills subway).
A light-hearted concert that looks at the artists and music of Canada with audience participation. Featuring our handbell and vocal choirs, ‘ugly sticks,’ and guest fiddler Christopher Jääskeläinen.
Adults $15.00, Children $5.00
Proceeds to benefit Sleeping Children Around the World, Street Outreach Services & St. John’s.
Free Parking - Wheelchair Accessible
More information at the church website or call 416 225-6611
Friday, April 27, 2007
Kenya and Chennai Newsletter now on the website
Chennai
We have the Chennai Newsletter on the SCAW website. You can also read and download a PDF version from the SCAW Downloads page.
Kenya
We've just added the Kenya Newsletter to the SCAW website. You can also read and download a PDF version from the SCAW Downloads page.
We have the Chennai Newsletter on the SCAW website. You can also read and download a PDF version from the SCAW Downloads page.
Kenya
We've just added the Kenya Newsletter to the SCAW website. You can also read and download a PDF version from the SCAW Downloads page.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Knox Church off to great start in fundraising campaign
An article published in the Listowel Banner, March 28, 2007by Dan McNee
Listowel's Knox Presbyterian Church certainly has a unique way of celebrating a milestone.
Rather than throwing a large celebration as part of their 150th anniversary, the church is instead throwing a large fundraiser. Kicked off on March 25, Knox Presbyterian is looking to fund 150 bedkits for Sleeping Children Around the World (SCAW), a Canadian-based charity that ensures children have a proper place to sleep at night.
"It's important for the community to help these children," said Knox program coordiantor Lorraine Burns, "It's important that we give."
Though the program was only kicked off at the church last Sunday, 42 bedkits have already been funded at $30 each. That money goes a long way, as it provides an adequate sleeping mat, a pillow, a mosquito net, school supplies, and other items depending on the country where they are going.
The bedkits are assembled in the country where they will be distributed, elminating shipping costs and helping to contribute to the countries' local economies by creating work for the locals. One hundred per cent of the $30 is allocated towards the bedkit, as seen to by foreign service clubs similar to Canada's Lion or Optimist organizations.
"That's the way it should be," said SCAW travelling volunteer Bud Adams of where the money raised is directed. "These service clubs are the ones that really have the tough job."
SCAW was founded in 1970 by Murray and Margaret Dryden, parents of Liberal politician and Hockey Hall of Famer Ken Dryden. The charity has raised over $20 million in its 37-year history, and provided bedkits to over 800,000 children in 31 developing countries around the world, in Asia, South America and Africa. So far this year, 19,000 bedkits have been assembled for three regions in India, the second most populated country in the world.
"You're dealing with the poorest of the poor," said Mr. Adams. "We're looking for those whom (the bedkits) will benefit most."
Knox Presbyterian Church's bedkit campaign for SCAW runs until May. Donations can be made at the church every Sunday after service until that time, or through Lorraine Burns at (519) 291-4628. More information on Sleeping Children Around the World can be found at www.scaw.org
Mumbai Report and Newsletter Available
We've just added the Mumbai Newsletter to the SCAW website.
You can also read and download a PDF version from the SCAW Downloads page.
You can also read and download a PDF version from the SCAW Downloads page.
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Travelling Volunteer Information Session
March 31, 2007
At their own expense and without benefit of a tax receipt, travelling volunteers go to countries to supervise the distribution of bedkits, photograph children with their bedkits, and write articles for the donor newsletter.
Should you be interested in travelling with SCAW, please contact us to find out how you can attend the information session on Saturday, March 31st, 2007.
At their own expense and without benefit of a tax receipt, travelling volunteers go to countries to supervise the distribution of bedkits, photograph children with their bedkits, and write articles for the donor newsletter.
Should you be interested in travelling with SCAW, please contact us to find out how you can attend the information session on Saturday, March 31st, 2007.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Ken Graham Travelogue
March 17, 2007: 2 to 3 pmKen Graham Travelogue — Hillsburgh, ON
SCAW volunteer, Ken Graham (pictured left) will be presenting a travelogue of his adventure trip to the Antarctic and the Patigonia region of Argentina and Chile at the Century Church Theatre, Main Street, Hillsburgh.
There is no admission but a donation to Sleeping Children Around The World would be appreciated.
Light refreshments will follow. Everyone welcome. Come and enjoy a pleasant afternoon.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Four Points sells Pies
The eight Four Points by Sheraton hotels in Ontario raised over $2200 for Sleeping Children Around the World through pie sales in the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving in 2006. Sleeping Children Around the World provides bed kits to needy children in developing countries, helping them to face the challenges of the coming day with the comfort of good night’s sleep.Pies were sold to guests at the front desk, to corporate clients, and at a pie baking contest held by the hotels. Participating were Four Points by Sheraton London, Four Points by Sheraton Ottawa-Gatineau, Four Points by Sheraton Toronto Airport, Four Points by Sheraton Toronto Lakeshore, Four Points by Sheraton Mississauga Meadowvale, Four Points by Sheraton Kingston, Four Points by Sheraton Toronto Airport West and Four Points by Sheraton St. Catharines Niagara Suites.
The proceeds were presented to the charity at a recent event at the Four Points by Sheraton Toronto Lakeshore. The funds raised will help to buy bedkits for children in Tanzania and will be delivered this summer. A bedkit consists of 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 is a Canadian registered charity which sends bedkits to children in developing countries through free-will donations and partnerships. All donations go directly to the bed kits and do not cover any operating or overhead costs.
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Changes in Tax Law
The Canadian Government’s recent tax changes have made it more appealing to donate publicly traded securities to your charity of choice.
Under new rules, you may donate stocks, bonds, trust units, futures and options, as well as units/shares in mutual funds and you will pay no capital gains tax on the appreciated value.
This greatly reduces your out-of-pocket expense of making such a donation.
More information is available on the SCAW website.
Under new rules, you may donate stocks, bonds, trust units, futures and options, as well as units/shares in mutual funds and you will pay no capital gains tax on the appreciated value.
This greatly reduces your out-of-pocket expense of making such a donation.
More information is available on the SCAW website.
Sunday, January 7, 2007
No BS Donation
Rob Provencher and James Hodgins (pictured at right) are photographers in the Sudbury area.They have a successful Web endeavour called NoBS PhotoSuccess and this year decided to raise money for Sleeping Children Around the World via their Web site.
They asked members of their forums to donate $5 if they so wished, ending up with donations totalling $3,750 ... and then they added $1,000 themselves.
Thanks, guys ... and give a big hand to all the members of your forums too.
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Cake Fest
Thanks to George Foster for information about the following SCAW fundraiser.
A team of twelve students at Highland Secondary School's Leadership Camp had the task: to come up with, get permission for, and run a fundraising event. They thought of "Cakefest," and wanted to raise money for children. Jennifer Warren remembered hearing about SCAW from Vacation Bible School and suggested this charity. The team loved it. Cakefest had a few "layers":
So far, they have raised $1250.00 (in one week!) and are very proud of their accomplishments.
They'll make this donation to SCAW at their December winter assembly. Jennifer said she thinks the tangible nature of the "bedkit" really galvanized the students and inspired them to give money. One team member has created the wonderful picture shown above — a compilation of all the decorated cakes.
A team of twelve students at Highland Secondary School's Leadership Camp had the task: to come up with, get permission for, and run a fundraising event. They thought of "Cakefest," and wanted to raise money for children. Jennifer Warren remembered hearing about SCAW from Vacation Bible School and suggested this charity. The team loved it. Cakefest had a few "layers":
- Homerooms were challenged to raise money for at least one bed (there are 29 homerooms). The reward for the most successful homeroom was cake for the entire class.
- Homerooms were all given one plain cake. The task was to decorate the cake in a wonderful way. The best cake won the chance to throw cake at the team members at an upcoming assembly.
- Those decorated cakes were auctioned off to the highest bidders.
- Parents could order cakes for their sons/daughters' birthdays. They're still baking!
So far, they have raised $1250.00 (in one week!) and are very proud of their accomplishments.
They'll make this donation to SCAW at their December winter assembly. Jennifer said she thinks the tangible nature of the "bedkit" really galvanized the students and inspired them to give money. One team member has created the wonderful picture shown above — a compilation of all the decorated cakes.
Tuesday, October 3, 2006
CMA charity campaign
Thanks to Lina DiMatteo for letting us know about the The Society of Management Accountants of Canada [CMA] charity campaign from October through to December, 2006.
They will have various events in their office throughout the three months to raise money for Sleeping Children Around the World.
October (Fridays)
November (Fridays)
December (Fridays)
They will have various events in their office throughout the three months to raise money for Sleeping Children Around the World.
October (Fridays)
- 13th Bake Sale
- 20th Prize Raffle Draw
- 27th Toony Toss
- plus Jeans day every Friday
November (Fridays)
- 3rd Pot Luck
- 10th Silent Auction
- 17th Bake Sale
- 24th Baby Guessing Game
December (Fridays)
- 1st Balloon Day (prizes)
- 8th Bake Sale
- 15th Raffle Draw
Monday, October 2, 2006
Sparky's Fundraiser: The results
Gary Spark in Winnipeg raised money for SCAW in an unusual way. In September, he sent an email to several of his friends asking for their support which we posted here.Today we got a photo and an email with the results of his challenge:
Well I finally made it before the good weather ran out. On Sunday, September 24th I rode 106 km from my home in Winnipeg to Lockport which is 53 km north of Winnipeg and then back home. I left home at 7:30 AM and arrived back home at 6:00 PM. The trip out was relatively easy but on the return I was facing head winds of 35 km. Very tough.
I have eaten enough protein bars and drank enough Gatorade to last a lifetime. Also did a lot of stretching exercises along the route which seemed to help.
Three things kept me going when it seemed really tough:
- The thought of a cold, very cold Corona beer when I got home.
- Picturing the smiles on the kids we were going to help.
- The overwhelming support from everyone who pledged money.
The children's photos will take 4- 6 months but I will email them to everyone.
Please forward your pledge by cheque payable to me. I will forward the total to the charity.
Many thanks for your support, Gary
Tuesday, September 5, 2006
Sparky's Fundraiser: The Challenge
Gary Spark in Winnipeg decided to raise money for SCAW in an unusual way. In September, he sent this email to several of his friends:
Here's the deal. Before the end of Sept, 2006 I am going to atempt to ride my bike from my cottage in Victoria Beach, Manitoba back to the city of Winnipeg which is 100 km. I have been thinking of doing this for many years. I have procrastinated enough. And after a fantastic recovery triple by pass heart surgery this is the year to do it.
To make it a little more fun I have decided to make this a fundraiser for Sleeping Children Around the World. SCAW:
What I am asking each of you is a donation to SCAW upon completion of at least 100 km. You can decide to donate an amount per kilometer or a lump sum for the whole trip.
I know someone is always trying to pick our collective pockets, at work, at home, on the phone and at the mall. I have only sent this email to my friends who have the biggest hearts and are very generous. So dig deep. Donate $30 or more and you'll get a photo of a child with your name on a bedkit photo. Thirty dollars is just a good bottle of red wine! Who am I kidding $30 buys me 4 or 5 bottles of wine.
Whenever I make a donation to charity I feel so great and you will too.
Winston Churchill said, "We make a living by what we Get but we make a life by what we Give."
Here's the deal. Before the end of Sept, 2006 I am going to atempt to ride my bike from my cottage in Victoria Beach, Manitoba back to the city of Winnipeg which is 100 km. I have been thinking of doing this for many years. I have procrastinated enough. And after a fantastic recovery triple by pass heart surgery this is the year to do it.
To make it a little more fun I have decided to make this a fundraiser for Sleeping Children Around the World. SCAW:
- does not receive government funds
- does not advertise
- all work is done by volunteers
- 100% of all donations goes directly to the children
What I am asking each of you is a donation to SCAW upon completion of at least 100 km. You can decide to donate an amount per kilometer or a lump sum for the whole trip.
I know someone is always trying to pick our collective pockets, at work, at home, on the phone and at the mall. I have only sent this email to my friends who have the biggest hearts and are very generous. So dig deep. Donate $30 or more and you'll get a photo of a child with your name on a bedkit photo. Thirty dollars is just a good bottle of red wine! Who am I kidding $30 buys me 4 or 5 bottles of wine.
Whenever I make a donation to charity I feel so great and you will too.
Winston Churchill said, "We make a living by what we Get but we make a life by what we Give."
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Happy 60th, Donald & Esther
Donald and Esther McGugan are long-time donors to Sleeping Children Around the World. To celebrate their 60th Wedding Anniversary this weekend in Bradford, Ontario with friends and family, they donated sixty bedkits to Sleeping Children Around the World.
They told us:
"We have received the sixty pictures for our anniversary donation. They will be distributed to those attending our party — each with a notation about SCAW and its work. The pictures from Uganda are the best we have ever received — bright, colourful backgrounds throughout. Uganda is a special to us in that the Watoto Children's Choir from Kampala has been in concert at our church on two recent occasions."
Thanks, Donald and Esther.
They told us:
"We have received the sixty pictures for our anniversary donation. They will be distributed to those attending our party — each with a notation about SCAW and its work. The pictures from Uganda are the best we have ever received — bright, colourful backgrounds throughout. Uganda is a special to us in that the Watoto Children's Choir from Kampala has been in concert at our church on two recent occasions."
Thanks, Donald and Esther.
Wednesday, June 7, 2006
Calypso Fest
June 25, 2006
Calypso Fest
St Clement Church is hosting a fund raiser for three charities, one being SCAW.
Calypso Fest
St Clement Church is hosting a fund raiser for three charities, one being SCAW.
Monday, October 31, 2005
Christmas Trees Raise Money
Thanks to Sally Jo Martin for letting us know about this SCAW fundraiser.
Plant World on 4000 Eglinton Ave., is promoting SCAW in December, 2005 by donating $5 from each fresh Christmas tree purchased on Dec 3rd or 4th.
Since Murray used his tree farms to collect money in the early years of SCAW, this is a very appropriate tie-in.
Plant World on 4000 Eglinton Ave., is promoting SCAW in December, 2005 by donating $5 from each fresh Christmas tree purchased on Dec 3rd or 4th.
Since Murray used his tree farms to collect money in the early years of SCAW, this is a very appropriate tie-in.
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