KIDS DO CARE
On a normal year there are typically three in-person meetings run by 100 Kids Who Care, a grass-roots organization that empowers youth to make a positive impact in the world by giving back to the community they live in. Kids in Kawartha Lakes normally attend these meetings with $10 of their own money, so that they can listen to different local charitable organizations pitch their cause, and then vote on which ones to donate their money to. Typically 100 Kids Who Care raises about $500 at each of these meetings.
However, with the Covid-19 pandemic limiting in-person meetings this year, the 100 Kids Who Care team, which is led by a group of parent volunteers, decided to try a different strategy. They conceived a new type of campaign that took what 100 Kids Who Care stands for, and planned something even bigger for the holiday season. On November 1, the Kindness Card campaign was launched. The premise was simple: kids in Kawartha Lakes make holiday cards for seniors in exchange for community donations to the local Meals on Wheels program.
The campaign closed on December 15 and it was a huge success. Over 500 holiday cards and holiday-themed colouring sheets were created by children in the community and dropped off at participating locations, such as Fresh Fuell and Tradewind Toys. Some schools also participated in making cards, including Grandview Public School and Heritage Christian School. Because there were so many more kids who participated in making cards than expected, these cards are being delivered not only to Meals on Wheels clients, but also to four local nursing homes so that as many seniors as possible can receive them.
With isolation and loneliness being a reality for seniors during the Covid-19 pandemic, the goal of these cards is to put a smile on their face and to remind them they are not alone. The campaign also raised $1,175 for the Meals on Wheels program through donations. Meals on Wheels is
run by Community Care City of Kawartha Lakes and ensures the nutritional needs of seniors living alone are met while also providing social interaction and safety checks from the volunteers who make the deliveries.
“We are so proud of the kids in our community for stepping up and making these incredible holiday cards, and each one will brighten a senior’s day.” says Leanna Segura, one of the parent organizers of 100 Kids Who Care Kawartha Lakes. “We are also thrilled to have raised so much money for Meals on Wheels, which is such an important organization to our town.”
100 Kids Who Care Kawartha Lakes is a local organization that gives children the opportunity to learn about their community, empowers them to become advocates for organizations and issues that matter to them, learn the importance of giving back and how they can use their time, treasure and talent to make a difference, and see the impact they can have right here at home in the City of Kawartha Lakes. To learn more about the 100 Kids Who Care Kawartha Lakes and the Kindness Card Campaign, please visit www.100kidskawarthalakes.com.