Feel the Beauty of Giving:

Ramadan, the month of giving and remembering

Peace be Upon You. Charity, preached by every religion of the world, is a way of bringing justice to society, and justice is the essence of religion. Also, in most religions, it can be obligatory and binding upon all those who embrace the faith; it has been made into an institution in order to give it permanence and regularity.

All human beings have been created by one and the same God, and for this reason they belong to one great brotherhood. All being descendants of the same progenitor, Adam and Eve, they should naturally be each other’s well-wishers. They must willingly come to one another’s assistance, like members of the same large family.  Religion has, therefore, laid the greatest of emphasis on the support of destitute and disabled members of society. It is a sacred duty of the wealthy to give part of their possessions to fulfill the needs of the deprived sections of the community.

A society can flourish only when its members do not spend all their wealth on the satisfaction of their own desires but reserve a portion of it for parents, relatives neighbors, the poor and the incapacitated.  As the saying goes: Charity begins at home. A true believer is thus always prepared, after meeting the needs of his family, to assist other people in need of his help.

And please remember that every good act is charity even smiling to your brother is charity. A man’s true wealth is not how much money he has or the property he has left behind,  but it is how people will remember him and what good deeds has he done.

This Ramadan, and this Eid, help yourself, others, and us at Human Concern International to make the world a better place for all of mankind... Please Give Generously

To Donate online, Please Click Here.

To see and print the 2010 Ramadan Card, please Click Here.

HCI, Working to find a cure for Cancer:
From Montreal to Quebec City, Body and Soul for a Good Cause

HCI has participated in sponsoring a great traditional Canadian Initiative, The Ride to Conquer Cancer.

The Ride to Conquer Cancer is a unique, two-day cycling event to take place on July 10-11, 2010, journeying over 200k throughout Quebec's countryside. The Ride is a brand new endeavor to do just that - Conquer Cancer. The money raised for The Ride to Conquer Cancer will help fund cancer research and care at the Segal Cancer Centre at the Jewish General Hospital and throughout Quebec. Funds will be used to support research and new technologies in the areas of molecular diagnostics, functional imaging, biomarkers, molecular target discovery and validation, and advanced targeted radiation therapy. In other words, your epic ride will accelerate the conquest of cancer.

The Ride to Conquer Cancer organizers announced that $6.7 million was raised by 1836 participants in the second annual Ride to Conquer Cancer. Funds raised through this cycling event support innovative cancer research, the discovery of new treatments, and improvements in care at the Jewish General Hospital’s Segal Cancer Centre, the CRCEO of the Centre hospitalier universitaire de Quebec, the Centre de santé et de services sociaux de Gatineau, and the Centre hospitalier régional de Trois-Rivières. In view of the fact that cancer has been the leading cause of death in Canada and Quebec since 2005, the Ride to Conquer Cancer has become a powerful call to action for cancer patients, survivors and their supporters across the province.

We will leave it with a word form a sponsored participant: “Fundraising was difficult, as we all had multiple commitments, busy lives and summer school. When HCI told us they were willing to sponsor us, we were beyond ecstatic. We all knew HCI as an organization to count on, our trust solidified not only by its professionalism and transparency, but by its proximity to the local community. Many of our fellow students volunteer for HCI and know first hand about its initiatives across the globe as well as at home, in Canada. HCI’s decision to support us was proof that we shared common goals – to assist those who suffer and help reduce their suffering through action and compassion, and to promote a spirit of charity and social involvement in the community. Thanks to HCI’s contribution, we were able to send an additional team member on the Ride, and it gave us a great moral boost in knowing we were ever-so-close to our fundraising goal as a team.

The Ride to Conquer Cancer was an amazing experience that we would recommend to anyone. After months of training in the gym, cycling outdoors, raising funds and spreading the word about the event, it all came down to two exhausting days in the sun. Biking for hours through the beautiful landscapes of our province, we felt proud to belong here – and proud to share the road with 1833 other participants, with whom, together, we’ve raised over 6.7 million dollars for cancer research. Our fellow riders were young and old, professional and amateur. Some were cancer survivors; others had the pictures of their loved ones battling cancer taped to their bikes. We were all there for the same reason, not in competition but in solidarity, ready to assist each and encourage each other. We were a community built around an act of charity – the kind of community that welcomes everyone.”

To support great Canadian Initiatives like this and other initiatives, please click here.

To support Local Montreal Projects, please click here.

Help Gaza, Let Gazans breath campaign

Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza.

please click here for more info.

HCI 2009-2010: Unity through Humanity

Conclusion of the 2009 Annual Dinner and Annual Body Meeting -
HCI's best financial year up-to-date. HCI will continue serving humanity for the upcoming 30th birthdate in 2010

Human Concern International has just concluded its 2008/2009 year with its annual dinner and the general body meeting. It announced its results with great pride. HCI is in a great position to serve humanity for years to come.

For the 2009 Annual Dinner, close to 300 guests joined HCI’s staff, representatives and volunteers to raise awareness about global humanitarian and development issues at HCI’s 29th Annual Charity Dinner Program.  The event was held on Friday, September 25th, 2009, at Saint Elias Banquet Centre in Ottawa. The theme this year was "Unity Through Humanity ".  

All proceeds from the event will go directly to HCI relief programs and development projects around the globe. HCI would like to thank its generous donors, volunteers, board members, partners, and the Canadian community for putting their trust in HCI and for their continuance support.

For more information about the 2008/2009 year, please check the 2008/2009 annual report in the Annual Report tab above.

From the bottom of our hearts ...
Thank you for supporting HCI to work for your cause … since 1980 ...

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Message from the Chairman on the 2008/2009 year,

Our strategy at Human Concern International (HCI) is to work with these countries, where communities are recovering from disaster, conflict or economic collapse and create positive change. We add our greatest value on the ground by supporting positive change with community-led and results-driven action.
The principles of our organization help us to combat sufferings by believing in the value and dignity of all human life. I would remind you that there are less of those suffering than there might have been because of your efforts.  We are strong, helpful and effective. 

Our donors large and small are beloved and precious to us. We are constantly reminded that the worthiness of donation does not rest in the size of the gift alone.  Where a gift comes from is equally important as where it goes to. If it comes from love and concern it will go with that message.  The recipient although not personally known to us, will get help and assurance that someone out there cares about them.

Our job is to be effective stewards of the resources entrusted to us and we have committed more resources to awareness and fundraising efforts and this has borne fruit.  Funds raised to be used in aid have increased much more than the resources used.  Therefore, our staff and volunteers are greatly appreciated for their management and stewardship of our cause.

Like many of you, I have been greatly blessed by association with like minded people in this organization.  The destitute will thank HCI for the work that it has done but I thank the donors for giving us an opportunity to help deprived people.

Farooqui Baksh, Chairman - HCI

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Message from the Executive Director on the 2008/2009 year,

As a member of the Global Community, HCI continues to fulfill its responsibility to serve humanity through numerous relief and development initiatives. HCI has met global challenges, thanks to the commitment and dedication of its volunteers, donors, partners and staff.  We believe in the fundamental goodness of human beings and in HCI’s ability to establish and maintain the capabilities that help those in need. 

HCI upholds Canada’s moral responsibility towards human rights and dignity.  It aims to indiscriminately help those who are orphaned, oppressed, disenfranchised and in need of spiritual, emotional, physical and financial assistance. HCI is contributing to the world community and reaching out to those who are in desperate need for assistance.

I would like to extend a heart-felt thanks to our generous donors through whose support we were able to expand our humanitarian operations to the needy in many countries.  We must acknowledge the profound and most generous contribution of the communities in Trinidad & Tobago who donated over $600,000 which assisted us immensely with our relief and development projects in Gaza.  Our sincere gratitude also goes to the people of Guyana who greatly helped us raise funds for various programs.

There are further challenges ahead in the path of alleviating poverty and hunger, as well as establishing and maintaining sustainable development initiatives through the improvement of community education and infrastructure. With the strong support of our network we will be able to meet those challenges successfully.

Kaleem Akhtar, Executive Director - HCI

HCI BOARD MEMBER NAMED TO THE ORDER OF CANADA

HCI is proud to announce that Mr. Azhar Ali Khan, a prominent member of our community who serves on HCI’s Board of Directors, has been named to the Order of Canada. In the past, he also received the Order of Ontario and the Queen's Golden Jubilee Award, as well as several other awards.

Our heartiest congratulations to Mr. Khan on receiving this truly most prestigious and well-deserved honour. He indeed deserves this award for rendering great service to Canada, the Muslim community, and humanity.

For more information, please click on the Events & News Section.

Charitable Giving and You

We know that you are thinking of others less fortunate than yourself who need help and support - and of how you might best give back to your community, a favourite charity or cause. If so, you're far from alone. As Canadians, we have a long and proud tradition of taking positive action for the common good. Each day of each year, hundreds of thousands of us provide vital volunteer support for the many charitable and other non-profit organizations that would otherwise be unable to carry out their good works. And for many Canadians, that support goes beyond volunteerism to charitable giving, either while we live or as a legacy provision in our Wills.

If charitable giving is on your mind, here are some strategies for leaving the legacy you wish to the charity of your choice and to your heirs with minimum taxation, fees or other delays:

Name the charity as beneficiary: Leave a bequest in your Will to a recognized charity and your estate will receive a charitable donation tax receipt that could eliminate all of the income tax on your final tax return and possibly on the return for the immediately preceding year, as well.

Establish a Donor Advised Fund: As the donor, you receive an immediate tax receipt for all contributions made to the donor-advised fund and you also retain the right to advise on how the fund's income (usually called grants) is to be allocated to charity each year - all without the administrative responsibilities or costs associated with establishing a private foundation.

Establish a Charitable Remainder Trust: You donate your capital while you live on the income. The charity has no access to trust capital during your lifetime and all interest and dividends are paid to you as taxable income. Upon your death, the trust assets - known as the remainder - go immediately to the charity. You receive an immediate tax receipt for the "remainder interest" given to the charity by creating the trust.

Donate a life insurance policy now: When you donate a life insurance policy to your favourite charity, it will receive the total death benefit under the policy and you will enjoy certain tax credits.

Establish a Charitable Life Annuity: By making a charitable gift now you will continue to receive a lifetime income from the assets you've donated, for yourself, or for you and your spouse and receive certain tax credits.
Donate publicly traded stocks or securities: Recent tax law revisions have reduced the capital gains tax on gifts of appreciated stocks and securities from 25% to zero - when they are donated to a recognized charity. You or your estate will pay no capital gains tax on donated shares and will receive a tax receipt for their full value.

Establish a Private Foundation: Your foundation will ensure your generosity lives on and can permanently associate your name or your family's name with the causes you've chosen.

If charitable giving is in your future, talk to Ismail Mukri about the charitable giving strategy that makes the most sense for you, your charity and your estate.

Ismail Mukri
MBA, B.Eng, P.Eng, P.M.P.

Charity Does not Decrease Wealth, it Increases it - Please Donate Generously

Your donations made through HCI are tax deductible.