Friday, September 19, 2008

THE ACACIA CHRISTMAS PARTY, NOV. 21, 2008

re: LOCATION............................................................................
THE ACACIA CHRISTMAS PARTY, is scheduled for Friday, November 21st, 2008 at Whistler’s, The McNeil Room, 995 Broadview Ave (at Mortimer).

re: TICKETS.................................................................................
The tickets for the party are ready and I am asking if each of us can sell at least 10 tickets a piece? Of course more would be great too, but 10 each would give us the funds we need to keep The Acacia Children’s Project going & growing.

If you are interested in being part of my Sales Team, please call me and I will put you on my list. We will be working together to reach our goal of selling 10 tickets each. That would mean a total of 200 tickets which is what we need to meet our budget requirements this year. Of course, I encourage anyone that wants to sell more to go ahead. Surpassing our target goal would be wonderful too!

The tickets are at the office and you can call me directly to arrange pick-up or if you would like them mailed. The way it works, you sign off for the number of tickets you take, then 1 week prior to the event, you return any unsold tickets along with the funds you have raised. This year we will have prizes for those that sell the most tickets. To be announced at a later date.

re: TAX RECIPTS........................................................................
Also, just so we are all aware, Revenue Canada does not allow us to receipt tickets to events. That is because under the CRA rules, the purchaser is receiving something in return. However, all donations over $30 to the Project will be automatically given a tax receipt. So, please encourage friends who are not able to attend the Christmas Party to donate the price of the ticket or make a small contribution.

This year tickets are $30.

I want to thank-you for being part of my Sales Team and I want to take a moment to let you know how your efforts will help these children:

re: THE ACACIA PROJECT............................................................
The ACACIA project has been caring for and looking after 49 Aids orphaned children since 2004. We took these children from the streets of Embu, Kenya and made sure they are safe and living in a home with adults to care for them. We started a grassroots partnership in Embu, with the local community people. They are our partners and are registered as The Acacia Children’s Project, Kenya. It is these very people who have taken the children into their homes to provide a safe haven for the. We work closely with them every step of the way to ensure the basic needs of the children.

Phase I of the project provided the children with basic needs such as food, clothing, shelter, education, tuition for school and school uniforms. You cannot attend school in Africa without a uniform. Many of the children were on their own, being looked after by an older sibling (as young as 8) or grandmothers who could barely care for themselves. If you could see the pictures of the children in 2004 and then in 2008, you would see the undeniable improvement of health, happiness and shine in their eyes and smile. This project is of such great importance in the lives of these children and those who run the program in Embu.

Phase II of the project involved the development of land which was donated to the project. To date the land has been fenced in by local villagers for plans to create a farm. This provided not only protection of the land, but also work within the community. With our last fundraiser in June, we were able to donate 40 goats, 2 cows and some chickens in order to develop the farm. The intention is to teach both villagers and the children of the project to care for the land, feed the animals and provide on-going nourishment. Plans also include planting vegetables and possibly developing small gardens near the homes of villagers. Unlike other parts of Africa, fortunately Kenya is very fertile and it rains frequently. Ideal conditions for growing food.

Phase III is a micro-financing plan, still in development. With this plan, we will provide small amounts of funding to help develop self-sustaining business. For example, the milk from the cows and goats can be turned to cheese and other milk products and sold for income. This can also provide skills training for the children as they get older.

Currently, 4 of our children are ready to attend University, increasing the chances of a better future for each child who attends. This however, just means a little bit more work for us as it increases the amount of funds needed to keep the project in operation.

Although, focused on the needs of our 49 children, the project in essence reaches out and helps the other community members as well.

Next year, we are hoping to take a trip to Africa, with volunteers interested in helping to work with the people of Embu and our partners.

It is a very important project and I believe that if people know how we are positively affecting the lives of not only the children, but the community, that people will be more than happy to buy a ticket to our party.

Besides all the good they will be doing simply by purchasing a ticket, they will also have a great time!! We have some amazing entertainment lined up – and our PARTIES ARE ALWAYS A BLAST!

re: CONTACT...............................................................................
The official website is www.acaciaproject.com.

Natalie Capone
Communications & Events Coordinator
Phoenix Community Works Foundation
344 Bloor Street West, Suite 505
Toronto, Ontario M5S 3A7
Telephone: (416) 964-3380 Fax:(416) 964-8516
Email: natalie@pcwf.ca Website: www.pcwf.ca

Monday, September 1, 2008

Lina's Poem for Eddie