Mini school bus purchased for orphans

Beta Sigma Phi held another successful fund-raiser for Canadian Aid for Chernobyl. Shown are members Apryl Browning, Val Swain, Delphine Wilcox, Jennifer Hopson, Marlene Kell and Libby Senior (front). Missing were Ann Davidson, Elaine Holgate and Fionna Ferguson.

The 4th annual Valentine's dinner dance hosted by the members of Beta Sigma Phi was a great success. The evening raised more than $14,000. This brings the total of funds raised over the last four years to $33,000.

Working with Dave Shaw, director of the Canadian Aid for Chernobyl, the women of the sorority elected to use the proceeds to purchase a mini school bus for the Chausy Orphanage in Mogilev, Belarus. This mini school bus will provide the children with outings that they wouldn't otherwise have.

Hopefully, the bus will be on hand for Caledon resident Jennifer Hopson to deliver to the orphanage director when she joins the other Canadian volunteers in Belarus March 25. For two weeks, they will deliver six containers of humanitarian aid filled with nonperishable food, hand-made quilts, laundry soap, hygiene products, clothing, toys, sports equipment, medical supplies, wheelchairs, canes, and more to orphanages and impoverished families. The volunteers will be provided with drivers and interpreters and will stay with families in the area.

Libby Senior of Beta Sigma Phi presents a cheque to Dave Shaw, director of the Canadian Aid for Chernobyl.

A gourmet dinner, which was offered in the live auction, will soon be provided by the sorority members with Caledon's Mayor, Marolyn Morrison hosting with Peel chair Emil Kolb, who will act as wine steward for the evening.

The "group of seven" women in the chapter would like to thank local Caledon businesses who so generously donated gifts for the silent auction and also thank the Rotary Club of Palgrave members who once again supported this special fund-raiser. Also a special thanks to auctioneer, Murray Stewart from the Bolton Rotary Club.

Hope for the Future, a child, a village, a nation, is what the Canadian Aid for Chernobyl is trying to achieve!

For more information, please contact Jennifer Hopson at 905 584-1814.