About Us
Our motto is: “We CAN drown out the voice of violence with acts of kindness” and “Kindness is contagious, please pass it on”.
The Violence Awareness and Random Acts of Kindness (VARAK) Program was created in 1997 in memory of Mark Fyke. Mark was an 18 year old Nicholson Catholic College student from Belleville ON, whose life was taken on March 15, 1996 while on spring break vacation in Daytona Beach, Florida due to a senseless act of violence.
Also remembered are Belleville teens, Becky Middleton and Shawn Keegan who were also victims of senseless violence in 1996.
The Quinte community was in a state of shock. Out of tragedy and grief came the need to make a change and make a positive difference.
The symbol for our program is the Blue Ribbon of Hope. Mark’s sister Jen had the idea and chose the royal blue colour in recognition of Mark’s favorite sports teams, the Toronto Blue Jays and the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Every year in March, we dedicate a week for kindness activities and decorate the Quinte area with royal blue bows. The bows and blue ribbons are a visual reminder that violence makes victims of us all and to encourage Random Acts of Kindness.
Local area elementary school students participate in colouring and poster contests and high schools are invited to nominate a student as their Kindness Citizen.
Nominations are also solicited for Quinte’s Kindness Citizen of the Year.
With the help of many, our program has expanded to include the communities of Belleville, Quinte West, Prince Edward County, Stirling, Frankford, Madoc, Marmora, Tweed, and North Hastings. During our kindness week we promote an awareness of the prevalence of violence in our society and how to counteract those negative effects with acts of kindness.
Our Purpose
The main purpose of the program is to promote positive energy to counteract the negative effects of senseless violence in our society, through acts of kindness.
Sadly, violence permeates our lives on a daily basis. Whether it is televised, on the internet, radio or printed in the news papers, we are bombarded with sensationalized stories of violence. Researchers indicate violence in schools and in our communities are nearly always a product of violence in our homes. If we speak out, get assistance for victims, if we offer safe refuge to victims of violence, if we shun those who use violence against others, maybe then we can inevitably affect and break the cycle of violence that exists in our society.
We believe expansion of violence awareness programs in our elementary schools is imperative. Collectively we need to promote and support programs that enhance prevention and early intervention within our schools.
Our Story
Our video was completed in 2005. It is a great in depth look at what has been accomplished over the years.
Thank You
We have developed many great partnerships with businesses, organizations and service groups within the Quinte area. Without their ongoing help and encouragement this program would not be possible. Special thanks to the Nortel Community Volunteers who for many years cut and pinned thousands and thousands of blue lapel ribbons for distribution to area schools and for VARAK donation boxes.
Thanks to all our volunteers and everyone who helps make this possible. Together we can drown out the voice of violence with acts of kindness!
Sponsors
Knights of Columbus
Archbishop J.L.Wilhem Council 1008
Wellington Elks
CUPE Local 2197
Kim Taylor Signs
Get in Touch. Get Involved.
For any inquiries or to get involved please contact us!
varak96@gmail.com
Chris Macdonald
613-966-8531
Pam Smith
613-962-2371