Help For Orphans Invites Schools to Celebrate the Holiday Spirit with the Joy 2 The World Initiative
(PRWEB) November 17, 2011
Want to make a positive difference in the world? You don?t have to be an A-list celebrity like Alicia Keys, Oprah Winfrey, Madonna, or Angelina Jolie. All you need is a warm heart? and a shoe box. The kids at Nottingham Public School in Ajax, Canada are eager to spread Christmas joy to orphans in Haiti thanks to Help For Orphans? Joy 2 The World initiative. Students and staff are filling shoe boxes with small toys, school supplies, hygiene items and a whole lot of love. Each shoe box is a gift that an orphan will be surprised with on Christmas morning. But it?s not too late for other schools to join in the effort.
In a world where so many kids see Christmas through ?I want? lenses, the heartfelt generosity of the students at Nottingham Public School shines an overwhelming light. The sex and age of the specific orphan is specified on each box, so the gifts will be just right for those who receive them. Many students are also including a personal photo and writing an encouraging letter filled with warmth and season?s greetings.
?You must be an angel,? said Leslie Hobbs, supporter of the Grodysh Orphanage and Help for Orphans international, when Nottingham teacher Racquel Ghent told her how she wanted to offer help for orphans in Haiti. ?It is bringing tears to my eyes; our kids are going to be thrilled.?
The truth is, this Joy 2 The World initiative was a last-minute miracle. It was determined that due to religious affiliation, the Public School was no longer running the original shoebox initiative (Operation Christmas Child). It was then that Racquel asked for divine guidance ? and everything fell into place. She found the Beverly Hills based 501(c)3 charity, Help For Orphans International while searching on Google for a secular organization that could help. Executive Director Sarah Ehrlich, told Miss Ghent about one of her much loved orphanages, Grodysh Orphanage in Haiti. It was a perfect place to start: 133 needy orphans, all under the roof of Claude ?Reggie? Jean?s home.
Within a few days, Nottingham Public School had a new initiative, a new affiliate and a link to a series of orphanages in Haiti. One parent?s act of kindness was the cherry on top. Ken Layton, an employee of Media Vision, donated the green shoe boxes, which the students are now eagerly filling, wrapping and decorating. Catch this contagious giving spirit and visit the Joy 2 The World webpage at http://nottingham.ddsbschools.ca/joy2theworld.html.
Sarah Ehrlich was so pleased to have a teacher reach out to help. When Sarah received the call from Racquel Ghent she said, ?I?m thrilled to find someone like you to start a project like this. With your help we can inspire other schools, teachers, children and parents to do the same thing. There are hundreds of orphanages that request our help and this is a great way to affect the lives of orphaned children around the world.?
Reggie and Leslie are already charging up their cameras for Christmas morning. The surprised and joyful reactions of the children at the Grodysh Orphanage will truly be priceless. The staff and students at the Ajax school are eager to gather in their school gym to see the heartwarming photos and footage.
Anyone interested in helping orphans in any country can contact Sarah Ehrlich at Help for Orphans. All they need to do is just get a box, pack some items in it, get an address from Help for Orphans International and they will bring holiday cheer to a child in need. In addition, anyone can make a difference by making a donation of any dollar amount at http://www.HelpForOrphans.org.
About Help For Orphans
Help for Orphans International (HFOI) is a secular not-for-profit organization dedicated to bettering the lives of orphaned children. Through donations of concerned individuals, businesses, and organizations, they help feed, educate, and improve their lives. Their overall purpose is to elevate the well-being of orphans and empower them to succeed in whatever endeavor they choose. They have worked in several countries throughout Africa, Asia, and Central America, providing aid and school supplies for orphans. For more information visit http://www.helpfororphans.org.
For more information about the Founder and Executive Director of Help for Orphans, Sarah Ehrlich, visit http://www.SarahEhrlich.com
Media Contact:
Racquel Ghent
Work Phone: (905) 683-0536
Cell Phone: (905) 903-8980
Email: ghent_racquel(at)durham(dot)edu(dot)on(dot)ca
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