05/15/2006 - Toronto, Canada:
Mike Holmes underscored his commitment to secure homes for families and children today, when he addressed a group of young students at Forest Hill Junior and Public School. Mr. Holmes was present to help SOS Children's Villages Canada observe the International Day of Families which is celebrated around the world today.
The popular host of the hit TV renovation show "Holmes on Homes" recently filmed a highly successful television campaign for the organization which is the largest orphan-focused charity in the world. Boyd McBride, National Director of SOS Children's Villages Canada presented Mr. Holmes with a framed picture taken of three children at SOS Children’s Villages Zanzibar in Tanzania. Commenting on his involvement with the charity Mr. Holmes said: "I'm proud to be associated with this worthy cause that is really making a difference to so many children in the world."
Mr. McBride explained to the children present why Mike Holmes is a champion for orphaned an abandoned children around the world. "The two sisters and their brother whom you see in this picture are orphans, but they will be able to grow up together as a family at our SOS Village in Zanzibar, Africa," Mr. McBride explained to the children. "Thanks to the television campaign which Mr. Holmes took part in, we will be able to give many more children just like them families to love and care for them, homes to shelter them and education and training to help them to grow up to build their own caring families," he continued.
Children from grades three to six at Forest Hill Junior and Senior Public School helped SOS Children's Villages observe the day by flying SOS kites as a symbol of the organization's commitment to giving the world's most vulnerable children lifetime families and broad horizons for the future. Mr. McBride also showed the children pictures for SOS Children's Village Lilongwe in Malawi where a large percentage of the children are from HIV/AIDS affected families.
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed May 15 as the International Day of Families on September 20, 1993. The annual observance reflects the importance which the international community places on the family as the basic unit in society as well as a heightening concern about the welfare of families around the world. The 2006 theme, "Changing Families: Challenges and Opportunities" recognizes the profound changes affecting families, in particular families at risk from poverty, disease, war and natural disasters.
September 20, 1993. The annual observance reflects the importance which the international community places on the family as the basic unit in society as well as a heightening concern about the threats which threaten the welfare of families around the world. The 2006 theme, "Changing Families: Challenges and Opportunities" recognizes the profound changes affecting families, in particular amilies at risk from poverty, disease, war and natural disasters.
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