If you haven’t noticed lately, there have been an influx of charities popping up that are inspired by individuals with a passion for something that hits close to home for them.

You may wonder how such small initiatives can even help. We were inspired by an employee here at Wayside who showed us how there is nothing and no one too small to fight for.

Wayside’s very own Dayton Ricketts is a part of the Give a Shirt Charity, (giveashirt.ca) that started with a family member and an inspiring trip to Asia.

Dayton’s aunt, Deanna speaks about her inspiration and how it all came together.

“Before a trip to Asia in 2011, I was made aware of the Deak Kum Pa orphanage in Luang Prabang, Laos. After watching the short video I was compelled to do something. I began gathering clothing from my daughter Kaelyn that no longer fit her. She was 6 at the time and when I explained that we would take clothing to the orphanage, she asked me how many children were there. When she realized it was about the same as the students in her school she said, ‘Mom, if there are 550 kids in my school and I have that many extra clothes I don’t need anymore, then wouldn’t all the kids in my school also have clothes they could give to the children in the orphanage?’ And so it began.” – Deanna Koebernick

What started out as a few hockey bags full of clothing donations has grown into 2 sea cans full of clothing. An additional $30,000 of funds was also delivered this year, going towards sustaining prosperous futures for the orphans and village kids in 3rd world countries like Laos.

To learn the true impact of what such a simple donation as an old shirt can mean to others, read more on the charities projects on their website. giveashirt.ca/projects/.

We were very proud to support Dayton and the rest of his team at Give a Shirt. What has he taught us? Whatever your inspiration is—be inspired! Big ideas can turn into even bigger realities.

Pictured: Wayside’s Dayton Ricketts, via Give A Shirt, delivers 100 shirts along with 2 SeaCans of much needed clothing to the Deak Kum Pa orphanage in Luang Prabang.