Families with Children From China Charitable Fund Providing financial support for orphaned and abandoned children in China for education, shelter, health care needs and other charitable purposes

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About Us

The Families with Children from China Charitable Fund (FCCCF) is a not-for-profit charitable corporation whose purposes, as stated in its corporate charter, are as follows:

1. to provide financial support for orphaned and abandoned children in China for education, shelter, health care needs and other charitable purposes; and
2. to fund other charitable organizations that are registered charities under the Income Tax Act (Canada). For example, The Amity Foundation and Smile China

One of China’s social problems is the abandonment of children, in particular female children and children with disabilities. Many of these children end up living in government-run social welfare institutions. Unfortunately, government funding is insufficient to meet all their needs.

When FCCCF was granted its federal charitable registration in November 1999 (#88537 2243 RR0001), it became the first Canadian charity to provide assistance to orphaned and abandoned children in China.

FCCCF is accountable to its members, to its funders, and to the Canada Revenue Agency. The Board demonstrates its accountability to its members and funders through periodic Community Updates and an Annual Report, and at its Annual General Meeting. In accordance with Canada Revenue Agency requirements the Board also files a detailed Information Return with the CRA each year.

If you would like to make a donation to the Families with Children from China Charitable Fund, please mail your tax-deductible donation to the following address:

Families with Children from China Charitable Fund
P.O. Box 808, Station F
Toronto, Ontario
M4Y 2N7.

Meet the Board

Over the past year, the faces around the table (and on the phone) at the FCCCF's Board Meetings have changed, with several terms ending and new Directors coming on board from across Canada. Here's a quick profile of the core group that's currently working to keep the Charitable Fund vital and active:

Chair Penny Rintoul lives in Woodbridge with her husband Kirk and her two daughters, both of whom were born in China. She is a lawyer, one of three partners in a small law firm in Mississauga that focuses on providing legal services to credit unions across Ontario. She has been a member of the Board since 2003.

Past Chair Catherine Bickley retired as Chair in June 2007, but remains on the Board for another year. Catherine and her spouse Jim Gardner, are busy parenting Sarah and Elizabeth who joined their family from China in 1999 and 2001. In her spare time, Catherine works as a mediator (Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario) and adjudicator (Pay Equity Hearings Tribunal).

Vice Chair Devorah Miller lives in Toronto with her husband Ken and three daughters, aged 8, 4, and 2. She designs and produces a small children's clothing label, Red Thread Design. Devorah has extensive fundraising experience in the arts and culture sector. She has been a member of the Board since 2003.

Treasurer Marilyn Hall is the mother of two daughters, ages 11 & 8, both adopted from China. She has previously acted as Treasurer for two other non-profit Boards. For the past 20 years, she has owned and operated Cygnet Information Systems, Inc., which provides software consulting services for both private and public companies.

Secretary Dawne Way lives in Scarborough with her two daughters (both born in China) and her husband, Phil Downes. She is a litigator advocating for children and youth in the areas of youth criminal justice, child protection and adoption litigation. Dawne has done volunteer work with a variety of organizations, including FCCCF. She joined the FCCF Board in 2007

Members at Large

Steve Whan lives in North Vancouver with his wife Danielle and two daughters (both born in China). He is currently "Advisor, Web Services" for one of the world's leading semiconductor companies. His 25+ years in the Information Technology field include previous senior technical positions with both Telus and BC Hydro. Steve is the author and publisher of the Autumn Jade Mystery Series. Steve has been a Board member since 2004.

Diana Mager now lives in Edmonton, having spent the past 11 years as a clinical dietitian in the Division of Gastroenterology at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. She is currently an Assistant Professor in Nutrition at the University of Alberta. Diana has three children, two of whom were adopted from China. She joined the FCCCF Board in 2007.

Shelley MacEachern of Stellarton, Nova Scotia, also joined the Board in 2007. She has a 4-year-old daughter adopted from China, and is currently waiting for her second. She works in the accounting field and is currently exploring her entrepreneurial side, importing clothing from China and working with Mary Kay.