We Were All Girls Once, 2016

I finally got all my ducks in row and made the donation choices with the money raised during the Morrisburg Polymer Clay Gathering 2016. http://plancanada.ca/because-i-am-a-girl is our fundraiser of choice and each year we manage to raise the bar just a little higher. This year was no exception. We were about 25 people in all and we raised 1200$ through our silent and live auctions. We received some extra donations as well. Now, hear a drum roll as I get you ready to find out how much our 1200$ bought in matched donations. For those who are not aware, the Plan Canada site has a system of matched donations. What you put in is matched by various companies in order to maximize the benefits. So, our money bought a total of 7,145$ spread out through various items. We bought some books, some farm animals distributed to communities, seeds and tools to ensure the recipients can grow their own food. We bought the supplies necessary for literacy training for girls, some tools and supplies for a Mom shop which teaches women to create with their hands and provide for themselves and their families.
My most heart wrenching item is buying someone a birth certificate. We take our own for granted, never really wondering what life would be like without it. But without a birth certificate you do not really exist. You cannot go to school, or get any identification. It breaks my heart that a person should be denied anything on account of something so basic. So, ladies of Morrisburg, I salute you! Thank you so much for your generosity and to all those who donated the goods we all got to bid on. Thank you for coming along with me on this mission of helping girls around the world have a better life. These efforts may seem like they are easy, no big deal, but maybe, through our efforts some girl will be able to go to school and have books waiting there for her when she gets there. I'm sure whoever she is, she'll take it from there.