Dana Layon is so committed to helping impoverished children in the Dominican Republic that the Vancouver resident staged a yoga fundraiser Nov. 22.
“A big bucket of toys” and $600 was gathered for a school in the Caribbean nation while 50 participants stretched their bodies and minds during the event at Vancouver Yoga Center, 202 E. McLoughlin Blvd.
Layon, who teaches at Vancouver Yoga Center, also is owner of Zen Flow Yoga and a volunteer for the nonprofit group Evergreen Ministries/Evergreen4kids.
The organization was started in 2005 by Brenda Backes of Longview, who visited the Dominican Republic in 2004 and has been on a mission there since. She said she sold her house and 26 acres near Oregon City, Ore., to start Evergreen4kids.
Backes said the group’s mission is to provide “dental, medical, education, shoes, uniforms, vitamins and a daily meal to over 70 children.”
Evergreen4kids also built a school in the village of Habanero.
“The school that was constructed is the heart of the community and a center for spiritual guidance as well,” Backes said. “We have touched over a 1,000 lives (in the Dominican Republic). We have 73 children enrolled in school right now.”
Layon said she was buoyed by the fundraiser.
“I’m honored to be a part of the community where people come together to help people they don’t even know,” she said. “It just inspired me … even at a time when the economy is so low, people still understand the importance of giving. … It just raises global consciousness.”
Learn more about the organization at Evergreen4kids.org.
Layon’s Web site is zenflowyoga.com.
— Dave Kern
