Fundraising for World Vision’s Gift Catalogue is an incredibly rewarding experience. And it’s easy to share the joy with your family, friends, students, or colleagues.

Click on the links below to read the stories of ordinary Canadians—just like you—who’ve discovered the joy of giving through World Vision’s Gift Catalogue.

Schooled in Giving
Energizing Employees to Give
Pennies for Poverty
Friends Band Together

Schooled in Giving

Dana Pikkert, a grade four teacher at St. Elizabeth Seton School in Red Deer, Alberta, raised money with her students to send gifts from the World Vision Gift Catalogue to families in Africa.

By doing various chores at home for donations and contributing some of their allowance, Pikkert’s generous students raised $1,200 to send to World Vision.

These 26 incredibly kind and caring nine-year-olds were truly excited about participating in this worthy cause.

“Thank you [World Vision] for creating the opportunity for us to help change the lives of those in need. It is an experience my students will always treasure.”
- Dana Pikkert, Red Deer, Alberta

Energizing Employees to Give

Nicole Owen, an employee at Galleon Energy Inc. in Calgary, Alberta, spearheaded a plan with her co-workers to raise enough money to drill a deep water well in Africa.

At the company’s annual Christmas party, Owen challenged everyone in the room to raise money for this worthy cause. By the end of the night, the company had raised $5,000—one-third of the amount needed.

Soon after, she organized an auction (including items donated by the company’s generous suppliers) and a 50/50 draw, which raised another $2,800. With Galleon Energy matching the total amount employees had already raised, Owen and her colleagues were able to donate $15,000 towards a deep well in Malawi.

“It seemed like a daunting task to come up with $15,000 and yet, in the end, it was so simple. A simple task that brought a profound change to one community thousands of miles away, one community among thousands more.”
- Nicole Owen, Calgary, Alberta

Pennies for Poverty

The congregation of Timberlea Baptist Church in Timberlea, Nova Scotia, proves that small pennies add up to big blessings.

Everyone in the congregation was challenged to contribute their pennies and spare change over the course of a year. The goal was to raise enough money to fill a stable with animals through World Vision’s Gift Catalogue.

Through its “pennies for poverty” project and Christmas outreach program, the church’s exceeded its goal, raising $2,440—enough money to fill two stables for communities in need.

“We were able to provide a blessing and receive blessings in return for sharing in such a meaningful way.”
- Cheryl Wyman, Timberlea, Nova Scotia

Friends Band Together

Sarah Townsend, a grade 12 student in Ontario, wanted to celebrate her final year of high school with something a little different.

After receiving a World Vision Gift Catalogue in the mail, Townsend and her friends decided to throw a Christmas party with a twist. Instead of doing the usual “secret Santa”, Townsend challenged each of her friends to donate at least $10. The money was pooled and put towards gifts from the Gift Catalogue.

By the end of the night, this generous group of friends had $240—enough to stock a medical clinic, buy a piglet, and give immunizations to a community in need.

“Thank you for giving us the opportunity to do something like this. It really put the holiday into perspective.”
- Sarah Townsend, Ontario