Over 130 people came out to Celebrate the Child recently to help children with special needs both locally and in the Dominican Republic.
The event, titled Celebrate the Child Inspire Ability, is in its third year and raises funds for both International Child Care (ICC) and Reach Child and Youth Development Society of Delta.
The event at Tsawwassen' s South Delta Baptist Church featured a silent auction with donations from many Delta businesses, music from local musicians Christine Magee and Karalee Congo, and UBC professor Tim Stainton speaking on inclusive communities. Guests were also treated to a dinner hosted by local youth athletes from Special Olympics.
In addition to being a fun and informative, familyfriendly event, the evening raised a total of $9,064
ICC is a health and development organization that helps children with special needs with a community-based rehabilitation program in the Dominican Republic.
"I am grateful for all the support we've received in the last three years from people in South Delta," said Randy Schmidt of ICC, one of the organizers of the event.
"The portion of the funds that go to ICC helps more than 400 children with disabilities in the community of Santiago by providing rehabilitation, counselling and school inclusion services."
Reach, which provides programs and services for children and youth with special needs, recently launched a $4 million capital campaign to build a community-based child development centre in Ladner.
Three-quarters of the event proceeds went towards ICC (with a threeto-one match from the Canadian international Development Agency), and one-quarter towards Reach's building project.
For more information about ICC, visit www. internationchildcare.org. For more information about Reach, visit www.reachdevelopment.org.
