While they didn’t win the Urban Mortgage “$25K, You Deserve It" contest, the company showed support for the Charmont family.
InSide Drumheller reported in its April 29 edition that Jen Olsen entered the contest on behalf of the Charmont Family. While they didn’t win, Urban Mortgage gave $1,000 to the family as a runner up.
“Tom Lam, the president of the company, graciously matched it personally for our family,” said Terra Charmont. “We were touched by the donation from his 4-year-old son who emptied his piggy bank, adding $12.22. Urban Mortgage truly understands community in every sense of the word, we wish them every success.”
With the funds, and $2,400 recently raised by students at Greentree School at a “Rest in Pizza“ fundraiser, by classmates of John Charmont who was tragically lost in an explosion at a resort in Mexico last November, they are making lives better for children and families in Roatan.
“We have pledged an ongoing, yearly commitment to the Morgan Jayne Project. The coordinator has named it “Johnny’s Fund” and is using it to change lives in Roatan, Honduras. So far they have purchased formula to prevent mother to baby Aids transmission, sent several children to school and saved a mother’s eyesight who was going blind,” said Terra. “Last month they completed “Johnny’s Place,” a playground. Where there isn’t always much to smile about in a third world country these kids have a place to laugh, squeal and experience pure joy.”
Terra explains they have plans to make even a bigger impact on the community in Honduras and that is by helping to spread literacy.
“We have decided to open a library. Last year their school had a total of three books. That’s right, just three! Literacy and a good education is the key for children to become successful. Books open the world to them, allow them to learn English and escape poverty and illiteracy,” she said.
Terra explains the school does not qualify for donation programs that establish libraries, as it would need to be a community library. This is not possible. Barbed fences and armed guards surround the school, as kidnapping is a real and ever present danger for these kids.
Terra said the coordinator of the school explains, “To open the library to the community would put the kids at extreme risk of being abducted and ending up on the black market, so they go without books.”
Terra works for Cenovus, and the company matches employees’ donations, which has helped Johnny’s Fund grow to almost $9,000 for the project.
They are challenging residents to be a part of the program by sending books.
“We need everything from Kindergarten through high school, English or Spanish. Maybe there are some outdated books on your kid’s shelves, there would be no better place to send them! There is also a need for curriculum, so textbooks with learning guides are highly desirable! Often these “expire” in Canada but are very useful in these countries,” she said.
Books can be mailed to: Valerie Nelson, Familias Saludables, Coxen Hole, Roatan, Honduras, Central America. They have also collected a number of books that have not been sent yet because of the high cost to ship.
To donate to help ship them, or a donation to allow the school to order books directly from online sources, contact Terra Charmont at 403-823-8676. Books and learning tools can also be dropped off at Image Crafters. Donations for shipping are appreciated.
