A bit of information about our community partners:
PWRDF
(The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund)
We’re thrilled to announce a new partnership with PWRDF, who are working in communities around the world where the need is greatest. With a generous grant of $20,000 in 2021, Rayjon Share Care Haiti and the Haitian Women’s Federation in rural St. Marc are moving forward with an exciting economic development initiative involving a sustainable tree nursery and the creation of a cooperative breadfruit processing factory. Read more here.
Trees That Feed Foundation
TTFF have been amazing partners in so many ways! In 2021 they supported the Haitian Women’s Federation’s celebrations for Int’l Women’s Day by sending specialty chefs to prepare delicious foods prepared with breadfruit, which helped to engage and energize the whole community around the “breadfruit project.” They’ve been instrumental in connecting our Haitian partners with resources, training, and contacts to expand initiatives. In Canada, TTFF co-founder Mary McLaughlin was a guest speaker at our “Culture & Cuisine” fundraiser, sharing with us more about the power of breadfruit and sustainable agriculture to feed families and break the cycle of poverty. Mési anpil, TTFF!
Refined Fool Brewing Co.
A HUGE shout out to the awesome people @ the Refined Fool in Sarnia. They are the main sponsor for our annual Trail & Ale event. Since 2019 they also have hosted our annual celebration event for International Women’s Day in partnership with Rayjon and Women’s March Sarnia-Lambton. So next time you’re looking for a unique craft beer, please stop in at Refined Fool- and don’t forget to thank them for being an awesome community partner.
Giresi’s Pizza Factory
In addition to serving up the best pizza in town, Giresi’s have been dedicated supporters of Rayjon for many, many years. They often sponsor Rayjon fundraisers and we can’t count the times they have gifted delicious pizzas.
Next time you’re ordering a pie, please let them know you’re glad they support Rayjon!
Grace United Church
Grace United supports us in so many ways. Many Rayjon meetings are held using Grace space, many congregation members are Rayjon volunteers and trip participants. And Grace’s Outreach Committee hosts regular soup luncheons to benefit Rayjon.
Sacred Heart Church
We can’t say thank you enough to our long-time friends and partners at Sacred Heart Parish. Rayjon holds many meetings at SHC throughout the year. Their Mission Committee continues to support education and nutrition programs in Haiti and the Dominican Republic with extraordinary generosity.
DeGroot’s Nurseries
Every year DeGroot’s Nurseries have supported Rayjon with an annual 3 day plant sale, usually the last weekend in May or first weekend in June. Proceeds support Rayjon projects in Haiti & the Dominican Republic.
Fundraising is an ongoing, important part of what we do – & need to do. But we can never, ever do it without such a wonderful support system. That includes all volunteers, all Rayjon supporters & of course John DeGroot, Lynn England & Diane Visser @ DeGroot’s Nurseries.
Celebrating Women, Local to Global
It takes a village to support women in this community and around the world. Thanks to our awesome partners at Women’s March Sarnia-Lambton, The Girl Gang, Calm ‘n Scents, and Paulina’s Flower Shoppe for supporting #IWD2021 celebrations and the Local to Global, Stronger Together art contest.
Culture & Cuisine Events
Thanks to Sitara Indian Cuisine and Dolly’s Jerk Joint for hosting Culture & Cuisine events with Rayjon! Together we are raising cultural awareness and deepening understanding and acceptance in our own community.
Hope for Haiti (St. Mary’s, Ontario)
We can’t say enough good things about our long-time friends and partners from Hope for Haiti. Since 1995 they have poured their love, energy, and resources into supporting many different projects in construction, education, and health care in Haiti, Africa, South America, and right here in Canada. Founding member Murray Mitchell’s work stretches even farther back in time to 1986.
Most recently Hope for Haiti has supported the building of the new classrooms at Pinson School, Haiti, and continues to support operating expenses there. The Pinson School now accommodates over 250 children from K to Grade 9.
Would you believe that Murray has participated in over 40 project trips around the world? Please enjoy this history of Murray and Hope for Haiti’s trips since 1986.
We’ve also created a special thank you video, that highlights Hope for Haiti’s contributions to the Pinson School.
New England Arbors, Sarnia
The wonderful people at New England Arbors named Rayjon a beneficiary of their annual charity garage sale in 2019. We had a lot of fun helping out at the sale and are very grateful for the generous donation. Special thanks to our friend Melissa!
Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada
Many thanks to the Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada for their generous support in 2019. A grant of $3,000 was received towards our Momma Does/Mamá Hace project in the Dominican Republic.
Together we have empowered women with skills & knowledge needed to develop self-sufficiency. View a video about the women involved in the project, and their wonderful outcomes here!
After-Hours Rotary Club of Sarnia, Area 5 Rotary Clubs & Rotary International
Hosted by the After Hours Rotary Club of Sarnia, supported by all Area 5 clubs and Rotary International (and in partnership with the Rotary Club of St. Marc, Haiti), this grant is a tremendous boost to the rural, mountainous community of Pinson, Haiti. The “Rural Education Project” grant has allowed for the first two levels of secondary school (grade 7 and 8) to be added to the elementary school (serving approximately 250 children). In addition, the project will provide agricultural training, supplies, seeds and will support the creation of community gardens… Students, teachers and parents will all learn sustainable gardening techniques. The goal is to improve food security in the long-term, feeding families and reducing the number of children suffering from poor attention due to hunger. The project has also provided capacity building training for teachers and parent leaders. Thank you, Rotary!
Sarnia Community Foundation
Rayjon is thrilled to have opened an endowment fund in 2019 through the Sarnia Community Foundation, allowing us to plan for sustainability and giving our donors another way to support Rayjon. Previously, we were also awarded a grant in the amount of $2,500 from Sarnia Community Foundation which was used for our “Social Justice in Community Schools” project. This local project built awareness, fostered empathy and compassion, and encouraged local youth to get involved in social justice efforts. The grant also allowed us to team up young social activists from Lakeroad Public School in support of their “Footprints Project.” Thank you SCF!
To request a presentation in your school or youth group, please contact [email protected]
Women Helping Women
Women Helping Women brings together Canadian women who share the same passion and connection for wanting to help women and girls get an education, become self sustaining and receive life-saving women’s healthcare. When we help women, they help their family and their community thrive. At their semi-annual gatherings women support charities empowering women and girls around the world. Rayjon has been a grateful recipient of that support.
United Way – Donor Choice Program
Each year a number of donors specify Rayjon as part of United Way Donor Choice Programs. We’d like to acknowledge the United Way of Sarnia-Lambton, and also the United Way of Calgary, United Way/Centraide Ottawa, United Way of Peel, and the United Way of Greater Toronto for their assistance and support.
Knights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus have assisted in many ways over the years. They organized a breakfast benefit following Hurricane Matthew. In March 2020, St. Michael’s Knights of Columbus Council #10102 hosted an evening with Dr. Glen Maddison, who shared about Conscience Rights and End of Life Care, and donated proceeds to Rayjon for Covid-19 relief.
Norwex Foundation
A big shout of thanks to our friends at Norwex, who awarded a $2,750 grant to Rayjon. Thank you to Sales Leader Independant Norwex consultant and long-time Rayjon supporter Cathy D’Angela for making the nomination! (Shown here are Cathy, Rayjon’s Executive Director Heather Smith, and Norwex Vice President of Sales Tracy Stewart)
Aamjiwnaang First Nation
When Sally, Maggie and Robin were preparing to head to Haiti as part of the March Break Awareness Trip, they organized a special fundraising dinner (with stuffed chicken, yum!) at the Maawn Doosh Gumig Community Centre. We are grateful to Aamjiwnaang First Nation for their partnership!