Gran-Ruaz recently won the Canada's Top Teen Philanthropist award, sponsored by Mackenzie Investments. The award comes with $5,000 to put toward a charity of her choice and $1,000 for post-secondary education.-Photo courtesy of Toronto Star
Care Package containing books, pencils, stationary, etc.
THE PURPOSE
The purpose of the charity is to create care packages for children entering shelters.These packages are to distract, entertain and comfort the children during this difficult and even frightening time in their lives.It is also to show them that they are cared for.
THE HISTORY
The charity was created in 2004 when I was 11 years old after I became frustrated that I was too young to volunteer elsewhere.
The first year approximately 500 care packages were sent to Interim Place North and South. The second year approximately 1300 care packages were sent to Interim Place North and South and The Salvation Army Honeychurch Family Resource Centre. The third year over 2300 care packages were created and they went to Interim Place North and South, the Salvation Army Honeychurch Family Resource Centre and VCWRS Women’s Resource Center. The fourth year almost 3000 packages were made and given to the above four shelters as well as two new ones:Woodgreen Red Door and Women’s Habitat. The fifth year included the above shelters and three new ones including Anduhyuan Residences, Native Child and Family Services and the Dam Shelter. The total of 5 years of creating these packages brought the total to date to 10,000 packages! This February 2010 I will be packing 3000 more packages with the help of my wonderful volunteers!
