Thanks to individuals and families like the Cyrs, World Vision Canada is able to announce that its Ottawa Region 1,500 Campaign far exceeded its goal.

The Cyrs heard of the need for child sponsors while listening to World Vision Day on 93.9 BOB FM, which partnered in the 1,500 Campaign along with CJOH-TV. "We all agreed we wanted to sponsor a child," said Lisa Cyr. "The children each agreed to give a portion of their allowance each week and we agreed to match that. We immediately called and were excited to hear that we would be helping a nine-year-old girl in Kenya."

Stories like this were repeated over and over during the World Vision 1,500 Campaign, an eight-week blitz of the Ottawa region with the goal of finding local sponsors for 1,500 impoverished children around the world by Valentine's Day. Ottawa area residents met this challenge two weeks early and then went on to sponsor a total of 2,116 children.

"We know this community has a warm place in its heart for children," said World Vision Canada president Dave Toycen, "but this is even more than we expected, and we're very grateful."

World Vision also credits the invaluable contributions and support of its partners, 93.9 BOB FM and CJOH-TV, for the success of the 1,500 Campaign. CJOH weatherman J.J. Clarke and BOB FM on-air host Sandy Sharkey acted as campaign spokespersons, going above and beyond their call in an effort to encourage people to become child sponsors. "They were able to engage the whole community in this effort," Toycen said appreciatively, noting that both Clarke and Sharkey became child sponsors themselves following a visit to a World Vision project in Honduras last fall.

The new child sponsors acquired as a result of the 1,500 Campaign are only part of the local story, however. During the campaign, World Vision held an appreciation night for its existing sponsors, who currently help more than 13,000 needy children and their families around the world. Appearing at this event was country singer/songwriter and World Vision spokesperson Michelle Wright, who was integral to the success of the 1,500 Campaign.

One existing sponsor who has seen first-hand the difference sponsorship makes in the life of a child is Jo Powell. Powell travelled to Guatemala last year, where she met her sponsored child, Marie. "I definitely witnessed my money in action that assisted this family now and in the future," Powell said. "I saw the rewards of giving."

Despite their poverty, Marie's family invited Powell to share a meal with them. "I was their honoured guest," Powell said, noting she was offered roasted chicken, a rare delicacy. When she offered some of her chicken to Marie, Powell said her sponsored child "immediately, without hesitation, shared all of it with her four siblings and two cousins…. Her family and Marie taught me wealth of a different kind: richness of spirit." Powell concluded, "It takes a village to raise a child and I am so blessed to be part of that village."

Although the 1,500 Campaign is now over, those wishing to sponsor a child can still do so by calling 1-877-34-CHILD (24453) or by visiting the World Vision Canada website at www.worldvision.ca . The Cyr children have issued a challenge to other Ottawa region youngsters to consider donating some of their allowance to help a needy child.

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian aid and relief organization active in more than 90 countries around the world, providing help to more than 85 million people each year.