Community ~

Many of us support organizations that help others. These are two special organizations that have touched my life....organizations that are making a difference for children all over the world.

SLEEPING CHILDREN AROUND THE WORLD ~

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.

No portion of a bed kit donation is spent on administration — 100% reaches a needy child. Each $40.00 donation provides a bed kit that consists of a mat or mattress, pillow, sheet, blanket, mosquito net (if applicable), clothes outfit, towel and school supplies.

Bed kit contents vary from country to country depending upon the local needs. Bed kits are made in the countries where they are distributed and thereby resulting in employment for families in the country and assistance to the local economy and the country as a whole.

Since its founding by Murray and Margaret Dryden in 1970, SCAW has raised over $23 million to provide bed kits for children in 33 countries.  In 2009 they reached their 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.  www.scaw.org   

(Source: Sleeping Children Around the World - Used with Permission) 

RAINBOWS ~

Rainbows is an international not-for-profit organization that fosters emotional healing among children grieving a loss from a life-altering crisis. These losses, among others, include separation, divorce, death, incarceration, and foster care.

Rainbows provides a safe and supportive environment for participants to process their feelings, build self esteem and learn positive coping tools to last a lifetime -- because 'it doesn't need to hurt forever'. This is accomplished through our unique 12-week peer support programs available from pre-school through to adult.

Rainbows partners with the community and is volunteer driven to make the program available at no cost to the youth participants or their families. In Canada, there are 3,268 Rainbow sites designated in at least 600 Canadian communities. These sites include schools, social service organizations, community centres and places of worship. Since their founding in 1983, nearly 4 million youth have been helped and supported by Rainbows programs throughout Canada, the United States and 16 other countries. 

Rainbows Canada www.rainbows.ca Rainbows International www.rainbows.org

(Source: Rainbows - Used with Permission)