After presenting the plight of the children
in a church, we realized that many in Canada are just
as excited about helping children in Egypt as in the
US. Their great enthusiasm prompted us to register
and incorporate in Canada. In May 2001 Coptic Orphans
incorporated as a charity and was officially registered
with Revenue Canada and able to give tax receipts for
donations. In October 2002 Coptic Orphans officially
opened its Canada office.
In December 2005 the Canada office moved
to Laval, Quebec and Manal Bedwany became the director
of the Canada office. Under Manal’s leadership
and our strong partnership with the Coptic Orthodox
Church in Canada, Coptic Orphans Canada has grown tremendously.
Canadians now sponsor hundreds of children and send
Serve to Learn volunteers every summer.
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November
21, 2009: Canada Gala, "Sower of Seeds" - Your participation and generosity has generated $60,000 towards urgently needed housing needs in Egypt. It will enable us to accept more children into our program this coming year and provide roofs, running water and electricity, and healthy homes for many fatherless children in Egypt. May God reward you.
April
11, 2009: Coptic
Business Puts Easter Dinner on Egypt Tables with Grocery-Bagging Fundraiser- Even when
the Easter feast comes, some who cannot afford the price of meat may
still be fasting. But in Montreal, a Coptic-owned business, Amira Enterprises,
wanted to make a difference for Easter.
February
22, 2009: Coptic Bishops, NGO: Egypt Needs Approach to Poverty that Gives Dignity,
Avoids Shame - At a Pre-Lent "rafaa" fundraising
dinner for Coptic Orphans at the Casa Grecque/Olympia restaurant reception
hall in Montreal on February 22, members of the local Coptic community
listened to bishops from Egypt and other community leaders emphasize
the need for a new approach to the problem of child poverty in Egypt
that will avoid causing shame.
August 16,
2008: Volunteers go
"Grillin' for a Cause" in Canada - On August 16th, Canadians in Toronto brought the summer
to a close with a great time and a great cause in the backyard of a
local volunteer who organized an event with fun, games, music, a BBQ,
and an introduction to sponsoring a child through Coptic Orphans.
March
1st, 2008: Coptic Orphans Holds First Family Day at the Cabane a sucre
in Quebec - A special thank you from Manal and Kevin to every
one who came out to be part of this event. It wasn't a fundraiser, but
a way for the Coptic Orphans family to share fellowship and celebrate
our families together. A snow storm hit right on the morning of the
event, but despite long drives through daunting storms and heavy snow,
we sold out on tickets and even more people showed up to push attendance
to 118. An extra thank-you to Famille Constantin, who donated two gift
baskets for our raffle at the event. We would also like to than the
staff for the delicious meal and the exquisitely friendly customer service. Enjoy
these pictures taken by some of you at the event.
October
14th, 2007: Annual Thanksgiving Dinner - it was a time of fellowship
and sharing as friends of Coptic Orphans Canada gathered to break bread
and hear the latest from the field in Egypt. Those present gathered
several thousand dollars for the children in Egypt.
Sept 6,
2007: Maxi Grocery Fundraising
Event; Pointe Claire, Quebec - On the weekend of
September 6th, fifty dedicated volunteers raised thousands of dollars
for the children in Egypt by bagging groceries and meeting new people.
Congratulations to all of our wonderful volunteers. They gave up what
was probably the last hot and sunny weekend of the summer and many children
will be uplifted because of their sacrifice.
