The idea for the Rescue and Restore Fundraiser Project started as a project for Bridget Irwin's leadership class at Vanier Secondary School.
"I felt very passionate about the issues surrounding sexual slavery and exploitation, and wanted to do something to help the victims of sexual slavery," she says. "So, I took that issue on as a year-long social justice project in that leadership class. It broke my heart to know about all the young women and girls being oppressed, living without hope.
"I knew I would need a lot of help with this fundraiser, so I asked my life group (a group of girls who meet weekly under the organization Youth Unlimited) to help. The whole group was more than willing to run this fundraiser because they too feel passionate about helping women and children trapped in sexual slavery. As a group, we picked the charity Project Rescue to support with the funds raised."
Project Rescue is founded in India, says Irwin. They provide Homes of Hope, where women and children can go to for safety, compassion, and transformation.
These women and children are able to find new meaning in life by being in a safe environment away from the red-light district. Project Rescue now has 11 Homes of Hope that help over 1,000 women and children through their multi-dimensional rescue ministry.
Irwin's life group decided to put on a garage sale/craft fair/flea market to raise funds for Project Rescue. It will host this event at Riverbend (4729 Headquarters Rd. in Courtenay) this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
To raise funds for Project Rescue there will be a $2 entry free and tables will be available for rental. To rent a large table is $30 and a small table is $20.
Anyone is welcome to rent a table and sell handcrafted or second- hand goods — the only cost is table rental so all profit is kept by sellers. Donated items can be dropped off May 25 from 2 to 6 p.m. If interested in renting a table at this event, contact briwin95@hotmail or 250-334-2593.
— Rescue and Restore Fundraiser Project