WORLD VISION 30 HOUR FAMINE
April 7-8, 2000
Recently, I brought together a group of 25 friends, ages 12-18, to raise money for World Vision Canada. We gave up food for 30 Hours, and had a blast! Friday night the amazing band Skatterbrane performed to get the activities rolling. Not only were they talented musicians, they also entertained us with stories about Jason's growing breasts and CD give-aways. Heather Emms, Linda North and the dancing sunflower were the opening act, with their rendition of "You Are My Sunshine". The antics continued until late that night when most people settled down for a movie marathon. The majority of the bunch managed to get a decent sleep, however some nighthawks decided to say up until 7am. Saturday, the paperclip necklace wearing, temporary tattoo covered group braved the cold for a scavenger hunt and litter collection. After one team played a nasty practical joke on me, Chris Inkpen of World Vision came to speak to us about World Vision and how our money would be helping. Finally, Saturday at 7:00 pm we could eat!! 20 people inhaled the 7 large pizzas in about 13 minutes! It was the first time in 30 hours there was any silence!
THE PICTURES ARE FINALLY HERE!!! Scroll down to see them!
GROUP TOTAL: $ 1, 478.25
WAY TO GO EVERYONE!!!!
TOP FUNDRAISERS
1. Kris Lundblad $160.00
2. Stephanie Nairn $124.04
3. Linda North $102.00
FROM THE APRIL 12 EDITION OF THE INGERSOLL TIMES:
Students go 'hungry'
By Brian Cleeve
The Ingersoll Times
By 7 p.m. Saturday, there were 25 ravenous teenages just waiting for pizza to arrive. And, no one can forgive them if they dug in hungrily, since they had consumed only juice and water for 30 hours as part of the World Vision famine.
"We wanted to experience the hunger felt by children all over the world, every day of their lives," said Stephanie Nairn, the famine organizer.
The students were at St. John's Anglican Church in Thamesford last weekend hoping to raise at least $1,500 for World Vision.
"We don't have all the money in, but the goal of each student was to raise $60," Nairn said Sunday. "Everyone has surpassed that so far and some of the kids have raised up to $160."
The money was earned through pledges and donations from family and friends, added the 17-year-old Nairn.
A grade 12 student at Ingersoll District Collegiate Institute, Nairn said most of the students were from IDCI. There were also some elementary students, one from College Avenue Secondary School in Woodstock and one IDCI graduate.
The students had a lot to keep their minds off their hunger last weekend with scavenger hunts, games and a live band.
"There was also a speaker form World Vision who told us how we are helping children around the world," she said.
"It's a good feeling and everyone said they would do this again next year."
Young people helping to fight hunger
In this world we often hear how 'those young people' are causing this problem or that. If it's vandalism; it's that younger generation. If it's somebody driving too fast on our streets or highways, it's young people.
Therefore, it's indeed terrific to report that at least 25 young people in the Ingersoll area have done something to make this world a better place.
Last weekend, the students, primarily from Ingersoll District Collegiate Institute, had only water and juice for sustenance for 30 hours as part of World Vision famine day to raise money and awareness of the plight of hungry children throughout the world.
Stephanie Nairn one of the organizers of the event held at St. John's Anglican church in Thamesford, says the goal was $1,500 and she felt the students would achieve it. While the final count isnt in, Nairn said all of the students had surpassed that mark and some of them have brought in $160 already.
Beyond the financial gain, however, Nairn said the students "experience the hunger felt by children all over the world every day of their lives."
Obviously, this was not a true barometer of that feeling. The students got to dig into pizza after their 30 hours were completed; a condition that doesn't apply to many children in Third World countries and some right here in Canada.
There is no way any of us who are fortunate enough to have proper meals almost every day of our lives can even imagine the horror of going to bed hungry, or fighting for scraps or living in areas where disease makes food almost inedible.
And, all the 30-hour famines in the world aren't going to substaintially change the lives of people to whom hunger is a constant companion.
Still, we have to begin somewhere. There's that saying about a journey of 1,000 miles begins with the first step.
Perhaps these 30 hour famines, which took place across Canada, will prove a ripple effect and get the have nations thinking about ways to help the have-not nations of the world.
In any event, the young people who gave up their weekend and solid food for more than one day deserve our praise. They have at least taken steps to help solve a problem.
That's a lot more than most of us ever do.
-B.C.
Waiting for Skatterbrane to perform
Relaxing and watching Empire Records
Skatterbrane!
Linda, Katie and I sporting our Famine Tattoos and stickers!
WHAT'S BEEN SAID ABOUT OUR FAMINE?
"I've been to a lot of famines over the past couple days, but this is definitely the coolest! You guys managed to do this without any chaperones, it's like you have your own little Woodstock here!" -Chris Inkpen, World Vision Canada
"If I said that I didn't miss getting to eat I would be lying, but it made me feel good to sacrifice for other people in need! -Carolyn Piett, Participant
"It was tough at the times we would normally eat meals, but it was fun and I learned about what people have to go through every day. I was glad when the food came though!" -Cheri Sutherland, Participant
"I had a great time at the famine. I feel really blessed that I can know people who not only have compassion for others, but the ambition and drive to actually do something about it." -Heather Emms. Participant
PLEASE SIGN THE GUESTBOOK WITH YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE FAMINE, OR JUST TO SAY HI TO THE REST OF THE GROUP!
Sign HERE View HERE
BIG THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED AND DONATED MONEY TO THIS CAUSE!! SEE YOU AGAIN NEXT YEAR!
LINKS
STEPH WOULD LIKE TO THANK... all of the participants for joining me and raising lots of money and their amazing enthusiam, everyone who sponsored us, St. John's Anglican Church for letting us use their facilities for free, my Mom for donating the top fundraising prize, Thamesford Pizza for a their delicious pizza after the famine, everyone's parents for letting them come without adult supervision, Chris Inkpen for taking time out of his busy schedule to speak to our group, the amazing guys of Skatterbrane for squeezing a show in for us during exams and before another performance that same night (and for the free CD's!), Linda North and Katie Wallace for their help in organizing everything, the decorating committee, World Vision for doing wonderful things for people all over the world, everyone who stayed late to help us clean up, everyone who wasn't part of Hilary's evil joke, the people who handed their money in on time, Brian Cleeve of the Ingersoll Times for the wonderful things he said about us, Ian Sutherland for letting his little sisters come, .... I could go on forever!! BIG THANKS AND HUGS TO EVERYONE!!!