Starvathon: Friday November 19th to Saturday November 20th

Starting at 6:00 PM at Grace United Church

Starvathon Pledge Sheet

The Info…

It’s that time of the year yet again when we gear up for our major fund raising event in November – our annual STARVATHON. Last year we raised $14,000.

This year we are seeking your help to enable us to support Earthquake recovery efforts in Haiti and to continue making progress with our Rural and Urban Development Projects. Our goal this year is $15,000.

Despite the traumatic events surrounding the January 12 Earthquake, remarkable progress is being made with both our development projects in Haiti. In St Marc, our CIDA-funded education and health care programs continue to provide top quality services. The agricultural development project is producing outstanding results with the introduction of new crops and improved farming techniques as well as transformational products such as Tabasco and mayonnaise. Farmers are demonstrating an impressive 50 – 65% increase in crop yields.

In Cap-Haitien, the Sacred Heart Centre not only provides the malnutrition program, but also a micro-credit loan program to assist women in starting their own business, a Production Centre to teach various business skills such as tailoring, and an urban gardening initiative to provide a sustainable means of growing food. The Sacred Heart Centre does not receive any CIDA funding and is supported in part by the Sisters of St Joseph, but is otherwise funded by donations to Rayjon.

Our capacity to support Earthquake recovery initiatives and the outstanding development programs described above very much depends upon the loyal support and generosity of Rayjon’s supporters and donors.

This year’s Starvathon planning group is organizing a 24-hour fast for the weekend of November 19/20 starting at 6:00 p.m. at Grace United Church, Sarnia. It will be a jam-packed event and all Rayjon members are invited to attend.

How can you help?

1. You can choose to participate personally in the November 19/20 Starvathon – and collect pledges using the attached sheet, or

2. If you can’t join us on November 19/20, you can conduct your own fast – and collect pledges as above.

3. After you have completed your fast, collect and return the pledges before year end so that tax receipts can be issued for the 2010 tax year.

4. Finally, if you can’t take part in one of the fasting options, please consider making a donation to Rayjon.

We hope you will participate in whatever way you can. Thank you.

Best wishes,

John Barnfield

Rayjon President