World Vision launches the Maritimes Campaign for Children

International aid organization thanks Maritimers for their generosity

MISSISSAUGA, ON, July 6, 2015 /CNW/ - Today World Vision is launching the Maritimes Campaign for Children. It is an opportunity for the international aid organization to thank Maritimers for their incredible generosity, and give others a chance to sponsor a child and change a life. More than 20,000 people throughout the Atlantic region are World Vision sponsors. The organization is rallying to help an additional 1,000 children waiting to be sponsored.

"We really want to say thank you to Maritimers who are helping improve communities around the world," says World Vision spokesperson Joyce Gonzales. "The Atlantic region is known for warm hearts and generosity. What you are accomplishing globally through child sponsorship is just one example of this." Sponsors are providing access to education, health care, nutritious food, clean water and helping parents find economic opportunities so they can provide for their children.

Andrea Janzen, of Halifax, has been a child sponsor for a decade. She started because she wanted to help someone else. "Sponsoring was my way to give a little," says Janzen. "It's all about being generous, and allowing kids in other places to have a strong sense of community."  

During the months of July and August CTV Atlantic will be running stories that highlight the difference Maritimers have made in the lives of children by partnering with World Vision. Door-to-door representatives will also be in communities in the region, to answer questions about World Vision and provide the opportunity for Maritimers to sponsor a child and change a community. 

QUICK FACTS:

• There are more than 20,000 World Vision child sponsors in the Maritime region.
• Child Sponsorship makes World Vision's community development programs possible; providing communities with sustainable access to necessities like clean water, nutritious food, economic opportunity, health care and access to education.
• If every World Vision child sponsored by a person from the Atlantic region were put on a school bus, they would fill 300 buses; if these school buses were lined up they would stretch more than 3.6 km!
• The Maritimes Campaign for Children hopes to find an additional 1,000 sponsors to change a life, and connect with a child in a World Vision community around the world.

HOW MARITIMERS CAN HELP:
Sponsor a child at worldvision.ca or call 1-877-34CHILD (24453) to find out more, or sponsor a child.

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. Visit our News Centre at worldvision.ca

SOURCE World Vision Canada

Image with caption: "Mai, a World Vision aid worker, with Filipino children in the Estancia community. This region of the Philippines was severely hit by Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, but thanks to child sponsorship World Vision was able to respond quickly to help children and families in the region recover. (CNW Group/World Vision Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150706_C6751_PHOTO_EN_436780.jpg

For further information: MEDIA CONTACTS: Genevieve Handler Barber; 905-565-6200 ext. 2176; [email protected]; Sarah Bartley; 905-565-6200 ext. 4054, 647-274-4774; [email protected]