Log A Load For Kids Canada is a national giving campaign through which loggers and other forest industry people donate the value of a load of logs, or any amount raised through fundraising events, to local Children's Miracle Network (CMN)-affiliated hospital foundations. One hundred percent of all contributions go to local CMN Canada hospital foundations; overhead expenses are contributed separately by sponsoring associations, the Children's Miracle Network, and corporate and private underwriting.

Since its inception in September 2000, Log-A-Load for Kids Canada has raised over $400,000 for various children's hospitals across Canada. None of that would have been possible without the dedicated work of many, many volunteers who have donated time and effort to organized large and small fund-raising events. All of these efforts put together make for a very successful program.

Want to get involved? Here are some fund raising ideas, click here.

Why participate?
Funds raised for Children's Miracle Network member hospital foundations help make medical miracles for children like:

Matthew Williams, Langley, B.C.
Epilepsy isn't an easy thing to live with - especially for a child. Matthew Williams knows the challenges of this condition all too well. When he was 3 months old Matthew's parents noticed that he was unresponsive and unusually quiet. A visit to the
neurology department at B.C. Children's Hospital confirmed their suspicions. Matthew was diagnosed with epilepsy, a disorder characterized by a pattern of repeated seizures. In Matthew's case, his seizures originated in multiple parts of the brain, causing four different types of seizures. Since his case was so unique and medications had failed to lessen the frequency and severity of his seizures, Matthew's doctors suggested surgery. Since his surgery Matthew has been nearly seizure-free.
Today he's a bright, talkative 8-year-old who loves hockey and is thriving in his school.

Melissa Woodard, Magog, Quebec
Melissa Woodard's story is nothing but miraculous. She started feeling ill one day, and a week later she had a new liver. Melissa's parents initially took her to the local hospital where her condition was not immediately diagnosed. Two days later they went back, where doctors noticed jaundice and immediately began a series of blood tests. Melissa had an undetermined type of hepatitis and her liver was failing rapidly. Within a few days she was transferred to St. Justine Hospital in Montreal and placed on the waiting list for a new liver. Miraculously, one became available the very next morning. The seven-hour transplant operation went smoothly, and Melissa came through with flying colors. To describe herself Melissa said, "I smile a lot." In the
hospital she always wore a mask outside her room, but the staff knew she was smiling just by looking at her eyes. With a healthy future ahead of her now, Melissa has plenty to smile about.

What is the Children's Miracle Network?
Based in Salt Lake City, Utah and Woodbridge, Ontario, Children's Miracle Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds as well as awareness for 170 children's hospitals all over North America. Every year, these hospitals treat 14 million children (2 million of which are Canadian) suffering from all manner of disease and injury including cancer, AIDS, muscular dystrophy, heart disease, and accident trauma.

Children's Miracle Network
4220 Steeles Ave. W.
Unit #C-18
Woodbridge, ON
L4L 3S8
(905) 265-9750
www.cmncan.ca

To view the Miracles Newsletter, click here.

Fundraising efforts for the year culminate each June with "Children's Miracle Network Telethons" being broadcast across Canada. These weekend-long television specials feature sports figures and other celebrities along with "Miracle Stories" of children who have beaten the odds and triumphed over life-threatening illness and injury.

What is Log A Load For Kids Canada?
Log A Load For Kids Canada is a commitment between the Canadian logging and forest industries to an annual nationwide campaign to help ensure that quality health
care is available to our country's children. Similar to a very successful program in the U.S., it gives logging and forestry people a chance to show they care and to make a difference in their local communities.

The Canadian Woodlands Forum, the national coordinator of Log A Load For Kids Canada, is a membership-based organization of individuals and businesses related to forest operations. The CWF supports technology transfer and information-sharing activities focusing on improving the competitiveness of forest operations. Their role is to promote, encourage and provide information and assistance to all individuals involved in the logging industry to raise these much needed funds.

How will Canada's children's hospital foundations benefit?
Children's hospital foundations affiliated with Children's Miracle Network are committed to improving the lives of local children. Funds raised by way of Log A Load For Kids Canada will be used to purchase life-saving equipment in addition to support breakthrough medical research and other services that do not qualify for Provincial Ministry assistance.

Which children's hospital foundations will benefit? 
As a new national sponsor, the Canadian Woodlands Forum's Log A Load For Kids Canada campaign will help children's hospital foundations from St. John's, Newfoundland, to Vancouver, British Columbia. For a list of the hospital foundations associated with Children's Miracle Network in Canada, please visit www.cmncan.ca.

" Doing something for the next generation is what logging and forestry are all about. Forests are a renewable resource, but children are our most precious resource."
- Barry Waito, Past-Chairman, Canadian Woodlands Forum

What kind of fundraisers will Log A Load for Kids Canada hold?
Log A Load For Kids Canada has been created to provide any logger with an opportunity to contribute the value of a load of logs to their local Children's Miracle Network hospital foundation. Log A Load for Kids Canada participants will also organize special fundraising events to supplement donations. Sponsored golf tournaments, cookouts, log and equipment auctions, and raffles are just a few of the creative ideas that can be implemented in your community. And your generosity will receive recognition through local media coverage as well as at the national level.

Are only loggers involved?
Employees of sawmills, pulp and paper mills, and other forest enterprises that depend on loggers often find many ways to lend a hand, by helping sponsor fundraisers, making direct donations, and assisting in promotion and planning.

How can I get involved?
If you are looking for ideas on fund raising, click here. For more, general information on the Log A Load For Kids Canada fundraising campaign, contact the Canadian Woodlands Forum at:

20 Coupar Terrace, Truro, NS B2N 5L3
Phone: (902) 897-6961 • Fax: (902) 897-6976
Email:  tcroft@cwfcof.org