05/01/2008

Fastathon Participants Learn
“An Inconvenient Truth”

World Accord’s Fast a thon 2007 took place May 25–27 at Ziontario Campgrounds, near Priceville, Ontario, Canada and June 1–3 in Calgary, Alberta. Combined, the annual 36-hour fasts attracted more than 100 people and, as in previous years, set a new fund-raising record, with a total of $38,180. The event’s focus, “I Need to Wake Up to Some Inconvenient Truths,” concentrated more on environmental issues and global warming than on World Accord projects. A key feature was a screening of the documentary An Inconvenient Truth, by former U.S. vice-president and Nobel Peace Prize winner Al Gore.

“Of course it’s a timely choice,” explained Sandy Heathers, World Accord program resource specialist. “It’s about sustainability. The money raised will continue to help World Accord’s diverse projects in various developing countries. The awareness raised, Heathers believes, could have an equally lasting effect on the fasters: “We would hope that the participants have learned that each of us can, and do, make a difference, not only in the lives of others, but also with the environment.”

Special recognition is given to fasters who make a significant contribution. At the Ziontario event, a special nod was given to one of the top fund-raisers, Jillian Dailey, eight years old, from Mississauga, Ontario. Having previously visited Guatemala, she set a goal to raise $1000. Sporting a T-shirt that said, “I’m going to raise $1000 for World Accord and my friends in Guatemala, and I’m not taking off this t-shirt until I do,” Jillian exceeded her goal and raised $1,020.

Visit www.worldaccord.org for more information about World Accord. Visit www.CofChrist.org/hunger/youthfast/ for more information about the International Hunger Challenge.

—Bill Ashwell reporting