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Campaign supports kids who want to contribute
It’s a bird…it’s a plane…it’s Joey from 4th Ave. Cranbrook!
The Cranbrook and District Community Foundation (CDCF) and e-know.ca have teamed up to offer local children a unique chance to give back to their community and experience the rewards philanthropy brings.
Be A Community Hero encourages kids of all ages who are hosting a party or celebration to choose a cause close to their heart and ask their guests to bring a small donation instead of a present.
When making the donation to the organization of choice, the child will have his or her photo taken and be featured on e-know.ca as the week’s community hero. The child will also take home a certificate and, better yet, the warm fuzzy feeling one gets from choosing to give rather than receive.
“As a parent of two young children, I am often overwhelmed with gifts on birthdays and Christmas,” says Jody Jacob, CDCF fund development coordinator. “My boys have more than they need, and more than they can appreciate. They’re overwhelmed too. I want them to know the importance of giving back to community, and the internal rewards that come from it. And I know I am not alone. I’ve talked to many other parents who feel the same way – that is what led to Be A Community Hero.”
“The campaign is not about a dollar amount, but rather creating a sense of community and philanthropy in children, who can absolutely make a difference in the world and inspire goodness and sincerity in a very meaningful way,” adds Riley Wilcox, executive director of the CDCF. “Kids are amazing and we should give them plenty of opportunities to explore their generosity and learn from the experience of giving.”
Kids can choose to contribute to four different causes as part of the Be A Community Hero campaign:
–Â The Cranbrook and District Community Foundation, which provides money to local charities supporting children, seniors, animals, the arts, culture and heritage, the environment, community health, education, sports and recreation.
–Â The Salvation Army Soup Kitchen, which will provide more than 20,000 lunches to school children in need of food and nutrition in Cranbrook, Marysville, and Kimberley this school year alone. It is the single largest program run at the Salvation Army in Cranbrook.
–Â Friends of Children Endowment Fund, which offers financial, logistical and emotional support to East Kootenay families with children in extraordinary medical need.
–Â BC SPCA East Kootenay Branch, dedicated to protecting and enhancing the quality of life for domestic, farm and wild animals in British Columbia.
Parents or kids wanting information can contact Jody or Riley at the Cranbrook and District Community Foundation at 250-426-1119, or visit HERE or www.e-know.ca.
Lead image: Mason, 4, already plans to Be A Community Hero in his community by donating funds raised at his birthday party next May. Mason wants to donate his birthday money to Friends of Children so mommies and daddies can be with their kids and “maybe bring them ice cream to feel better.”
Cranbrook and District Community Foundation
