Photo: Sometimes, God calls us to sort clothing and food donations in South Africa! The team included Nancy and Wally Andres, Linda Cripps, Rhonda and Paul Babcock, plus ER’s Nick Carnill. Five volunteers from ER Canada invested two weeks serving in South Africa. The team visited the Fish Hoek Dream Center, the Farm program, and worked with ER partner ATAIM. The volunteers arrived ready to serve. The team has wanted to come for a very long time,” said ER’s Nick Carnill. “They saw firsthand what their prayers and support have produced on the ground.”

The volunteers enjoyed the opportunity to serve the students by assisting them with their schoolwork. “We had a wonderful time in South Africa,” Linda shared. “It was great spending time feeding children, helping them with homework and playing soccer.” Photo: Paul Babcock helps a Dream Center student with his schoolwork.

When volunteers come to Fish Hoek children often ask to read to them. Reading is a huge priority at the Dream Center. Kids are challenged to read 100 books in order to keep up with or exceed their peers in local schools. This is producing outstanding results as teachers often comment on how DC students have demonstrated remarkable improvement in reading. Photo: Nancy Andres helps a Dream Center student with reading.

Beaufort West Outreach The team traveled to Beaufort West where ATAIM conducts several ministries in the community. “One cool aspect of this trip was that team members have been praying for and supporting ATAIM through ER Canada for many years,” Nick said. “We made gift bags, helped hand out food, and we put on a free clothing giveaway.” Photo: Rhonda Babcock comforts a woman while distributing supplies.

ATAIM’s work in Beaufort West has focused on outreach to the local community, which struggles with poverty and lack of opportunity. Photo: Wally Andres encourages one of the recipients of a container of food. Linda shared that Wally worked for 35 years for the University of Guelph’s research and development agricultural department, so he and Anne Haag (ER Farm Director) had some great conversations around farming.

 

Watch Facebook, Instagram and our eNewsletters to see updates on ER’s work around the world.

 

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ER Canada Rolls for Vulnerable People

Extreme Response Canada’s third annual bike ride attracted some passionate cyclists who participated in the June 22 event. Cycling 2 Change Lives is a bike ride designed specifically to raise funds for people living in extreme, often life-threatening conditions around the world.

This year’s bike ride raised nearly $8,000. The funds will be used to help vulnerable women and children in the areas where ER serves globally.

The ride started at Aitken Chevrolet in Simcoe, Ontario and journeyed through the local area. ER’s Jerry Carnill shares this short clip of the action in this video.

ER Canada is engaged in multiple humanitarian projects globally, including sending short-term volunteers overseas, funding programs to help women and children and sending staff to assist in long-term programs. Canadians who have worked with ER Canada have served in Ecuador, Haiti, South Africa, the Philippines and other countries.

Learn more about ER Canada.

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Beacons of Light

(September 27, 2018)

Pierre and Sharon Roux traveled from South Africa all the way to Simcoe, Canada to share the incredible work they are doing with people living in settlements in their country. Pierre heads up ATAIM, a long-time ER partner operating near Cape Town and Beaufort West.

Every year, ER Canada holds an annual banquet to bring together community members to focus on meeting needs around the world. This year’s dinner, held in the lakeside town of Port Dover on Sept. 26, highlighted the theme “Beacons of Light”.

The banquet was well attended as 160 people gathered. Nearly $29,000 was raised to provide assistance to vulnerable people and give them hope for the future. Some of the funds will support the outreach work ATAIM does within the community of Beaufort West.

Pierre shared that his work with ER is more than a partnership. “It’s a relationship of personal encouragement, of support and of love. We don’t just come alongside with money, we come alongside as friends. The people in our area are understanding what ER Canada and ATAIM are trying to do.”

Learn more about ER Canada.

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Volunteers Construct Home, Donate Shoes in Ecuador

An ER Canada team recently traveled to Ecuador to serve with ER partner Casa de Dios. The team did much in a short period of time, including:

– Starting construction on a home for Cirilo, a local man who is partially blind from diabetes
– Distributing 150 pairs of shoes for school supplies
– Teaching sewing classes on machines the team brought with them

“Teams are so encouraging,” says ER’s Pete Emery. “Twenty-three youth and the guys from the team worked really hard through hot sun, rain and mud [on the house]. The shoes were a huge blessing, as shoes are very expensive here. The team brought sewing machines, and we hope this will help some ladies provide for their families, as there is little to no work for them.

“I thank each of the members that gave so much of their hearts and lifted this community up. Thank you ER Canada!”

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Bikers Roll to Help Vulnerable Kids

(June 23, 2018)

Extreme Response Canada hosted its third group bike ride in Simcoe, Ontario, Canada. “Cycling 2 Change Lives” took place on the morning of Saturday, June 23. Riders chose from three different rides that all ended in Lions Park in Port Dover, followed by lunch.

Riders met early at Aitken Motors auto dealership in Simcoe, ignored the rain clouds and had a wonderful outing.

ER Canada president Linda Cripps said participants enjoyed a great morning and had a glorious day. Linda shared that she rode in memory of her late husband, Paul, who co-founded ER Canada. Together, Paul and Linda have made an huge impact in every region where ER serves.

Funds raised from the ride will support Extreme Response Canada, a humanitarian organization that comes to the aid of vulnerable women and children around the world by providing nutrition, educational assistance, skills training and encouragement.

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ER Canada Bikers Ride to Change the Lives

(Sept. 29, 2017)

Aitken Chevrolet in Simcoe, ON, was the gathering point for bikers who spent their Saturday morning riding to help at-risk people. Now in its second iteration, Cycling 2 Change Lives attracted more than two dozen riders who rode on behalf of ER Canada to help raise awareness and funds.

“We’re very grateful for the riders and volunteers who participated. Our bike outing is growing and we’re learning so much,” said ER Canada President Linda Cripps.

This year, riders had the choice to ride either 10k (6.2 miles) or 50k (31 miles) routes. Riders and volunteers enjoyed great weather, trails and camaraderie.

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ER Canada Rocks; Dorothy, 93, Leads The Way

(Oct. 3, 2016)

Saturday, Oct. 1, was a huge day for Extreme Response Canada, which celebrated its 10-year anniversary, as nearly 200 people joined together for two events that built awareness and raised funds to help the poorest of the poor.

In the morning, ER Canada held a bike ride to benefit vulnerable kids. The morning bike race featured Dorothy, a 93-year-old with a heart of gold. Dorothy, along with two of her daughters, was one of the riders. She’s a resident of the local senior citizens center.

Dorothy raised funds from other residents of the center, along with her 11 children, 26 grandchildren, 64 great grandchildren and two great-great grandkids.

Way to go, Dorothy!

Thanks for showing us you are never too old to help others.

In the evening, ER Canada gathered to celebrate at its annual banquet. The theme was “Doors Of Love, Hope and Opportunity”. Staff from ER International joined in to celebrate both 10 years of ER Canada and 20 years of Christmas parties in the Quito Dump (visit the ER Timeline).

They also looked ahead to the 2017 goals, which include providing more love, more hope and more opportunities to people living in extreme conditions in nine countries worldwide.