by Sherry Wiebe – Special to Sylvan Lake News

The second annual walk-a-thon for T.O.U.C.H. Ministries was held in Sylvan Lake Sept. 22 — a beautiful sunny day and what a success.

In June, we had the privilege to set up a walk-a-thon in Osler, Sask. and also here in Sylvan Lake allowing people to receive pledges over the summer holidays.

T.O.U.C.H. Ministries is a non-profit organization, which has developed and supports an orphanage in Ogooma, Uganda, Africa. We currently have 41 children in the orphanage that was originally built for 32, so things are a little crowded. The need for more housing is so great, as there are so many more orphaned children in dire need. We have achieved many great things in Ogooma through this community’s great sponsorship.

We began with Saskatchewan’s first annual T.O.U.C.H. walk-a-thon on Sept. 8th raising $23,279.42. What was a truly AMAZING day! They had approximately 35 walkers, and the walk-a-thon was followed by a BBQ and various prizes being awarded including a first and second prize winner for the most paid pledges.

Now the friendly challenge was on to see if Alberta could beat Saskatchewan. We had a wonderful fun filled day. And through some last minute funding Alberta pulled ahead by $47.58. In total Alberta’s walk-a-thon raised $23,327.00 making this one whooping successful grand total of $46,606.42. T.O.U.C.H. Ministries truly wishes to thank all the walkers and all the gracious people who opened their hearts and gave so generously.

We also ended our walk-a-thon with various prizes being awarded, including a first and second prize winner for the most paid pledges. The second prize was presented to Josh Johnson and the first prize was won by Jayme Wiebe. The first prize winner wishes to say a special that you, so I have attached a letter which was sent to me.

Thank you everyone for making this such a success. Always know you are helping the orphans around the world with a home, medical and educational needs and three meals a day. They will grow up and one day make this a self-sufficient community.

Jayme’s letter

I would like to send a heartfelt thank you to everyone who sponsored me for the 2012 T.O.U.C.H Ministries walk-a-thon on Saturday, Sept. 22. Because of your generous donations, T.O.U.C.H. Ministries has given me the opportunity to travel with them to Uganda in January, 2013. I feel truly blessed to get the chance to see first hand what God has planned for your donations.

This spring my husband and I sponsored a three year old girl, Helen. She was abandoned at a local police station. The police contacted the T.O.U.C.H orphanage and despite having a full dorm with 40 kids already living there, they took her in.

I am more than excited to get the chance to go see her, hold her in my arms and love her. I want her to know that she is wanted and not abandoned. With the success of this walk-a-thon, T.O.U.C.H is able to build another dorm and more children like Helen will have a home.

Once again thank you to everyone who donated to the 2012 T.O.U.C.H Ministries walk-a-thon.

Jayme Wiebe