Event Exceeds Target!
TRIP’s annual event exceeded expectations raising more than $25,000. Many thanks to all participants. Your contribution is building homes for families and creating opportunities for promising students.

Volunteer Building TRIP 2009
We still have availability for the 2009 TRIP scheduled for March 27th to April 10th. Contact us at info@tripca.org.

Special Visit - August 08
We were honoured by a visit from our Sri Lankan project managers. Ruwan, Ranjhit and Anil came to Canada on a cultural exchange (see photo gallery).

Volunteer BBQ
On a hot spring day many TRIP volunteers got together for a festive BBQ in the McKelvey’s back yard. Great to see everyone again and catch up before summer.

Four New Homes
TRIP’s volunteer team spent two very productive weeks in December completing new homes for four families. Check out the photo albums to see everyone in action.


Program Leader

Janet McKelvey has spent the last 35 years involved with business and philanthropy. Her long-term business career was with Xerox Canada. Starting in sales in 1980, Janet's experience included executive positions in marketing, strategy, customer service, administration, communications and change management. Her final position was Vice President, Marketing until 1996.

 

Looking for an opportunity to give back to the community, Janet joined Canadian Tire as the Executive Director of its Foundation. From 1997-2003, she worked with the Corporation, Board and Associate Dealers to design and implement a new corporate philanthropic strategy and the Canadian Tire Foundation for Families. After this 5-year period, philanthropy was a core strategy throughout Canadian Tire and the Foundation was raising and disbursing more than $3.5 million to families in need in communities across Canada.

 

During this time, Janet has served with several Boards and volunteer endeavours. Currently her focus is entirely volunteer work:

  • TRIP Canada Program Leader
  • Chair, Toronto Public Library Foundation Board of Directors
  • Shaw Festival Board of Governors: Chair of Governors Circle; Strategic Planning Committee Member
  • Craigleith Ski Club Board of Directors: Membership Experience and Club Planning Committees

Developing World Connections

TRIP’s delivery partner is DEVELOPINGWORLDCONNECTIONS (DWC), Canada’s only organization offering volunteer vacations. DWC is a Canadian registered non-profit society with a goal of introducing participants to volunteer opportunities and cultural tours in developing countries. The society was founded by a group of Kamloops, BC Rotarians and their friends who were introduced to international volunteer work through their involvement in Rotary.

 

Developing World Connections is founded on the belief that being of service to others is one of the most rewarding yet undervalued aspects of a full, satisfying life. DWC believes that each of us is capable of making contributions to the lives of others and that, collectively, our contributions substantially make our world a better place to live.

 

DWC is led by Wayne McRann, businessman and deep believer in the importance of international philanthropy. Wayne has spent more than 20 years leading and participating in projects for developing countries. The majority of DWC's other board members have considerable experience conducting hands-on volunteer projects in developing countries and understand well the positive impact of serving those less fortunate.

 

DWC is a partner of TRIP and manages all aspects of the travel and Sri Lankan in-country experience. In addition, to involvement in Sri Lanka, DWC operates regular trips to Guatemala, Thailand and India. Visit DWC at developingworldconnections.org.

 

Advisory Committee

TRIP Canada has an Advisory Committee to provide guidance, direction, oversight and support in business development and communications.

 

Kevin Shea (Honourary Chair):

Kevin participated in TRIP's first volunteer rebuilding trip and returned in December 2006.

 

Richard Boxer

Richard and his wife Joan contribute significantly to TRIP’s fundraising activities and have been to Sri Lanka on two occasions to build.

 

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