Ryan's Well Foundation - Water Bottle Testimonials

Voyageur Elementary, Quesnel, B.C. Raises Over $800 for Ryan's Well through Bottles for Wells Project

"Ryan has inspired millions, including us, to help people that don't have clean water. We have learned that in Africa a child dies every eight seconds because they don't have clean water; some children have to walk kilometers and kilometers to get dirty water. That's why we think everyone should have clean water, and everyone should take part in raising money for those people who are not as fortunate as us. The Ryan's Well Foundation stainless steel water bottles have given us a way to fundraise for those in need and to help raise awareness of world water issues."
- Chloe, Christina & Division 2

Ryan Hreljac - the Bottles for Wells Project

"I am really excited about teaming up with Aniceto & Bigg Co. We will all win through it! Building more clean water sites, improving hygiene, reducing landfill needs, conserving resources, making healthy choices. What's not to like about that?"
- Ryan Hreljac

Aaron celebrates his Birthday with Ryan's Well Foundation - Bottles For Wells Project

"My son, Aaron, has recently studied in school the rights of children around the world. In this unit, Aaron learned about Ryan's story and how Ryan's Well Foundation was focused on providing clean drinking water to kids around the world. He saw firsthand how one child could help so many kids around the world with their basic right to clean water.

When his birthday rolled around, Aaron decided that he wanted to help as well. He asked his friends to consider making a donation to Ryan's Well, in lieue of birthday gifts. When we started to think about loot bags for his friends, we decided we wanted to help too. Through the Ryan's Well website, we found the Ryan's Well stainless steel drinking bottles offered by Aniceto & Bigg Co. in Nanaimo B.C. We thought it would make a great gift for all the kids attending the party! The bottles were personalized with each kid's name, they are safe to drink from and the proceeds from the bottles goes back to Ryan's Well. Unfortunately, we only had a week to go to the party, so I wasn't sure if we would be able to get them in time.

I contacted Aniceto & Bigg Co. to see if there was a way to get the bottles in time for the party. I spoke directly with Cathy Aniceto, the Co-CEO of the company and she couldn't have been more lovely and helpful! She moved mountains to get the bottles to us in time. She went above and beyond what I expected to make sure that everything worked out well for us. The bottles were a big hit at the party!

Cathy and her business partner, Michelle truly put their hearts into their business. It was a very rewarding birthday this year - both to help Ryan's Well, and to come across such special people in Cathy and Michelle."
- Stephanie N., Toronto ON

Elizabeth May Goes "Blue" in the Bottles for Wells Project!

"I just got back to my home in Nova Scotia and my Bottles For Wells Bottle was waiting for me. I LOVE it!! Thanks and I am sure Michelle and Cathy will reach their goal - and help many along the way".
- Elizabeth May, Leader of The Green Party of Canada

Ryan's Well Foundation Returns from an Amazing Well Monitoring Trip to Uganda

"On a recent monitoring and evaluation trip to Uganda, in February 2009, we visited over 60 of our water projects. I was struck by the depth of impact that Ryan's Well Foundation, and all of its generous supporters are having in each and every community that we work. Our partners, who manage the build projects on the ground, live and work in the districts where the water and sanitation projects are being built. They take a true ownership in not only constructing the projects, but in the education and engagement of the local communities to transfer that sense of ownership to the local water and sanitation committees for the ongoing care of the projects. These local committees are made up of the people directly using the water points. Because of their ongoing oversight we feel more confident that our work will be sustainable, helping further generations to a healthier lifestyle."
- Patricia Markovich - Executive Director of the Ryan's Well Foundation

Nanaimo, B.C. Educator Supports Bottles for Wells

"The sale of water bottles for the Ryan's Well Foundation is a very direct way to make a difference - this Christmas, I gave water bottles to all my nieces and nephews and they appreciated their part in supporting safe water and sanitation projects in developing countries. Everybody benefits!"
- Lynne MacFadgen, Educator December, 2008

Fruitvale Elementary in Fruitvale B.C. Raises $380 for Ryan's Well

In January 2009, Kirsty and her son Kai brought the Bottles for Wells Project to Kai's Elementary School and 47 students, their family members and teachers eagerly participated. They all now own a Ryan's Well Foundation Bottle, each with their own custom name labels! Fruitvale Elementary has a focus on healthy active lifestyles - making the Project a perfect fit for the school. Kai and his class watched the Ryan's Well Foundation DVD that showed children walking many kilometres to get dirty water to drink. They then became inspired to take action!

Mrs. McGarrigle's Raises $3696 and Counting for Ryan's Well

Mrs. McGarrigles of Merrickville, Ontario (~ 20 mins from Ryan's town of Kemptville) is a "Fine Mustard....Fine Food Shop" in the picturesque town of 1000 residents. During our trip we met Janet Campbell, the owner of this truly unique store and several of the 13 amazing people who work with her. We also had the fortune to visit the store and see the Bottles for Wells Project display in her front window. Janet is a generous supporter of the Ryan's Well Foundation and has become one of the Bottles for Wells Projects first retailers! She aims to sell one bottle for every resident in Merrickville and she is already one third towards her goal! Visit her website at www.mustard.ca to see why it is one of the nicest fine food shops we have ever visited!

American International School of (TAISM) in Oman Raises $552 for Ryan's Well

This school is located in Oman - a country sharing its western borders with the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Yemen. It is located on the Gulf of Oman. Scott Brink - teacher of Middle School Social Studies/Global Issues introduced faculty and students to the Bottles for Wells Project Fundraiser because the school is a long time supporter of the Ryan's Well Foundation, inspiring students to join in to make a difference! Scott and several students even had the opportunity to meet Ryan Hreljac in March while attending a youth conference in Qatar. Their bottles won't be confused with any others because they were customized to include the TAISM school logo in addition to their names. Learn about TAISM at www.taism.com

Lester B. Pearson Catholic High School in Ottawa Raises $1200 for Ryan's Well

An amazing group of students in the environment club of L.B.P. school and Science Department Head - Karen Kyle have made it their goal to switch students and faculty in their school from drinking water from plastic containers to stainless steel, while at the same time supporting the Ryan's Well Foundation. The club knows and studies the impacts of plastic bottled water on the environment and wanted to make a difference. This school of over 600 sold 150 bottles to students and teachers within 2 months making it a very popular initiative. Cathy and Michelle met several of those students and Karen Kyle during our trip to meet the Ryan's Well Foundation. L.B.P.'s passion and dedication is contagious and they are outstanding leaders!
Meet the L.B.P. school - visit their site at www2.occdsb.on.ca/lbh

Bottles for Wells Project - Donates $8576 to the Ryan's Well Foundation

Congratulations to everyone who has already participated in the Bottles for Wells Project Fundraiser! Between December 2008 and February 2009 just over 1000 bottles were purchased by people all over the world in support of the Ryan's Well Foundation. This means 1000 more people in developing countries will have access to clean drinking water!
On March 5th Cathy and Michelle gave the first cheque to the Foundation on behalf of the Project from the sales of the first 1000 Ryan's Well Foundation water bottles. This was a very exciting time for us and the Foundation because we were able to present the cheque in person and meet everyone from the Foundation, their Board of Directors and Ryan's Hreljac's parents Mark and Susan.

Canadian School of Natural Nutrition (CSNN) Raises $480 for Ryan's Well

"CSNN is a leader in providing education that empowers - education that provides for optimum health". CSNN has 12 schools across Canada and supports the Ryan's Well Foundation through a variety of ways and has taken on the Bottles for Well Fundraiser in each of their schools for their students over the next year. They have already helped 60 more people have access to clean drinking water with 59 purchased ....and counting. Check them out at www.csnn.ca.

Gabriola Island Medicine Centre Raises $480 and Counting for Ryan's Well

Ryan Hreljac and Jimmy Akana have both visited Gabriola Island and met many of its 4000 residents several years ago. At that time the island community raised close to $15,000 for the Ryan's Well Foundation. The residents continue to show their support for Ryan's Well including Tracie and William Der owners and Pharmacists of the Island Apothecary, who are one of the generous, local retailers of the Bottles for Wells Fundraiser. www.medicinecentre.com/index.asp and learn about this great island community pharmacy!

Integris Credit Unions Raise $960 for Ryan's Well

Integris Credit Union employees and families from the Quesnel, Vanderhoof, Prince George and Fort St. James branches in B.C. not only make a difference in their own communities but have made a huge difference for 120 more people in developing countries who will now have clean drinking water thanks to their participation in the Ryan's Well Foundation Bottles for Wells Project. Executive Assistant, Kim Mathews of the Quesnel Branch proposed the idea to those within Integris Credit Union indicating that it was a "win-win" opportunity for everyone who ordered a bottle as not only do we feel good knowing we are using a safe water bottle that is also helping the environment, we are contributing to a very good cause. Each bottle has the Integris Credit Union logo on it and their own name label too - both of which are popular options that help customize and personalize each bottle. Go to www.integriscu.ca/Personal/ to learn about this inspirational credit union.

"The credit union philosophy was built on people helping people and communities. Our staff are generous supporters of many charitable events and organizations, and the Ryan's Well Foundation Water Bottle Project was no exception. Staff were quick to respond to support this Project to help people in developing countries access clean safe drinking water. This worthwhile endeavour costs little to support and helps many people."
- Brian Bentley, Integris Credit Union CEO

Students at F.H. MacDonald in Sutherland's River,Nova Scotia help another 45 children have access to clean water!

Mrs. Kim Bain is a grade two teacher at F.H. MacDonald. "After reading the "Ryan and Jimmy" story, my students and I became motivated to help others who are less fortunate than ourselves. We felt the "Bottles for Wells" project was a great way to raise awareness and raise money for a great cause. It was my hope as a teacher, to educate my students about the importance of clean water for all, and to encourage them to become active and responsible citizens from an early age. After completing our "Bottles for Wells" fundraiser, my students have proven that little people can make a big difference."

Lafarge Aggregates & Concrete Raises $768 for the Ryan's Well Foundation!

"As a Health and Safety Supervisor at Lafarge Texada it is my responsibility to look after Health, Safety and the Environment at our site. Lafarge is committed to the Health and Safety of our employees and to continually improving our environmental performance. While watching the News I saw an interview with Michelle and Cathy talking about the Ryan's Well Foundation. I thought this was a great idea. This will be a quality gift for the employees to celebrate June Lafarge's Health and Safety Month. We are very happy to support Ryan's Well Foundation through the Bottles for Wells Project. Purchasing the stainless bottles will not only contribute to reducing our environmental impact but will provide clean drinking water for people in developing countries."
- Scott Marshall - Safety Supervisor - Texada Quarrying

Centre Luna Yoga Raises $192 for the Ryan's Well Foundation!

Jennifer Maagendans, certified Jivamukti Yoga instructor and owner of Centre Luna Yoga, was drawn to the Ryan's Well Foundation through the Bottles for Wells Project as soon as she found out about it. "The Ryan's Well Foundation is the type of project that we are proud to associate with," says Jennifer, "and as we were intent on phasing out our plastic water bottles at the studio, it made perfect sense to not only choose the environmentally conscious option, but to help out people in need in the process!"
http://www.centrelunayoga.com/