Who are we?

There are 101 great charities to donate to.  Why should I donate to this one?

Let me tell my story.  I live in a small community in the South Okanagan and I’m a member of a faith community that talks about helping the poor and disadvantaged in a real and tangible way and we often collect money and send it to far away places.  From time to time the phrase “we are our brother’s keeper” is used.  Many times I have used the phrase “somebody should do something.”  But one afternoon in early February2020 when the north wind was blowing and the temperature was rapidly dropping, I realized it was I that had to do something.  That very night, with the help of my local church, we were able to open up a large heated room.  We found people that were in trouble, brought them inside, gave them some hot food and offered a warm place to spend the night.  I am very pleased to say that with the help of many volunteers and compassionate members from our community we have been able to provide and operate an extreme weather warming shelter for the past three winters.

In that same spirit, I recently read an article by Peter Singer.  A professor of bioethics from Princeton University and the winner of the 2021 Berggruen Prize for Philosophy and Culture, a $1 million award given annually to “thinkers whose ideas have profoundly shaped human self-understanding and advancement in a rapidly changing world.”  Professor Singer asks the question “If you were on your way to an important meeting and you saw a drowning child along side the road, would you stop and save that child’s life even if it meant getting your clothes soiled and not making it to the important meeting?”  I know I would say yes, and I believe most reading this would also say yes; in a heartbeat.  Professor Singer makes a compelling case, if we would save a child in our own community then, by extension, we have a responsibility to try to save a perishing child halfway around the world.  

When I finished reading the article I found myself almost wishing I was living 200 years ago. That way I could legitimately say that it’s too complicated, it’s too time consuming and it’s way too difficult to help somebody halfway around the world.  But not so in the world that we live in today.  From the comfort of our own cozy home one little click of a button  resources can be sent halfway around the world- in moments.  

From this, an idea was born. What if we could bring 1000 people to Canada? Those individuals in Ukraine that,through no fault of their own, lost their homes, communities, and often family members because of the senseless war.  All they need is a chance. They need an airline ticket and a caring community that will guide them through the first few months as they get settled.  A community that will assist them in finding a home, finding a new school for their children, finding a new job, and becoming a part of a new country; our community, our country.
This is the moment- imagine being in their shoes, we feel; we KNOW we have to help these beautiful families to know there is someone halfway around the world that is reaching out to help them.  That’s why personally Iam compelled to be part of this amazing organization of volunteers. This organization is reaching halfway around the world and then again across  own communities to give these people a chance at a new life.  It’s not just about money- It’s about shared hugs, it’s about shared handshakes, it’ about shared tears.  Mostly it’s about laughter and changing the lives of others- one Ukrainian family at a time.  

To those of you that have helped in the past and are helping now and are thinking about contributing today we wish to thank you for your generous support.

Many blessings,

Greg Thorp