Media Centre

Today more than 800 enthusiastic dippers of all ages braved freezing temperatures to celebrate the first day of "Canada 150" at the 32nd annual Courage Polar Bear Dip for World Vision.

The Courage Polar Bear Dip for World Vision, the biggest and longest-running charity dip in Canada, returns on New Year's Day 2017. To celebrate the first day of "Canada 150", nearly 1,000 dippers have set a fundraising goal of $150,000 for clean water projects in Africa. 

Business, education and civil society leaders gather to discuss the need for Canadian supply chain transparency legislation to address the worst forms of child labour
 

According to a recent Ipsos poll, most Canadians agreed that good health is their wish for family and friends this Christmas.  Six in ten Canadians picked health as their gift of choice over stability (15%), success (12%), education and freedom (tied at 5%). 

World Vision is pleased to be welcomed into the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS family after successfully becoming the record holder for the Longest line of candy canes. Measuring 1,047 metres, 7,335 candy canes were formed in lines and featured a giant heart, with the help of students from Hamilton District Christian High School.  

As the violence in Aleppo continues without respite, World Vision is poised outside of the city to provide emergency assistance for thousands of additional  families who are attempting to escape the fighting. 

According to a recent Ipsos poll, clothes are at the top of the heap as our least favourite gifts to receive during the holidays, as noted by 26% of respondents.

Today Canadian children are sending a heartfelt video welcome to help Syrian children feel at home in Canada.

Every year more Canadians are choosing to make a difference by choosing gifts from the World Vision Gift Catalogue for their loved ones. Giving or getting gifts that make a difference for children and their families around the world at Christmas is a sure-fire way to feel good at a time of year when sharing joy and generosity is important to Canadians. The World Vision Gift Catalogue is also a fun way for kids to get involved in giving, they enjoy choosing from a variety of gifts to help other children in developing countries. 

In the lead up to International Day for the Abolition of Slavery (Dec. 2), World Vision’s child protection policy advisor, Reena Vohra, debunks six myths about the worst forms of child labour:

World Vision Canada is grateful for the impressive generosity of the Southwestern Ontario region in the fight to end child poverty. Last week marked the end of the Campaign for Children, an opportunity for people in the region to help children waiting to be sponsored. Over the past two months residents of the Windsor – Guelph region sponsored 1,460 children.

With one month to go before dip day, Todd "Dr. Freeze" Courage and Trent "Dr. Thaw" Courage, co-founders of Canada's largest charity polar bear plunge, have released the helpful "5 Training Tips for Polar Bear dips" guide for dippers old and new.

Giving Tuesday kicks off the holiday giving season.  For those looking to get the best deal, Burnbrae Farms is partnering with the World Vision Gift Catalogue with an offer that will help stretch your dollar. 

Today World Vision is urging Canadians to support newly arriving Syrian families and unveiled a list of practical tips on how to help them adjust to life in Canada. 

According to a recent Ipsos poll, 79% of Canadians have a tough time coming up with new gift ideas year after year for family and friends. Additionally, nearly three in four Canadians report that finding a gift people will like is a chore.