You’re never too young to make a difference! 11-year-old Ian wanted to give back to seriously ill kids just like him, and his 5th grade school project provided the perfect opportunity.
Ian was born with biliary atresia and required a life-saving liver transplant at only 8 months old. Unfortunately, the surgery came with complications, and he has since undergone over 60 major surgeries and procedures.
Thankfully, Starlight Canada has been a light for Ian’s family over the years. They’ve enjoyed time away from their worries with outings like Pirate Adventures, Trick or Suites and hockey games! “Starlight has provided Ian and our family with lots of memory-making opportunities,” Ian’s mom, Amanda, shared. During Ian’s isolation throughout the pandemic, he’s been kept smiling at home with our virtual shows, scavenger hunts, and Play From Home Packs filled with toys shipped directly to his doorstep!
Since Christmas, Ian’s been working on a project for school as a part of the young entrepreneur fair. “This is a project where students learn all about the ins and outs of creating a business,” his 5th grade teacher, Garrison Hodgins, said. “One of the coolest parts about this project, is that students donate 10% of their profits to a local charity.” Garrison shared that, typically, each student selects their own charity. However, this year, they decided to choose their top 3 based on a vote. Ian presented his charity of choice to the class, and inspired by his story, Starlight Canada was selected as a beneficiary!
“I did a lot of cool things with Starlight, so I wanted to give back,” Ian said.
As a part of Ian’s project, he invented and sold “Water Bombs” for $1 each, and donated part of his profits to Starlight Canada! Eco-friendly and colourful, “Water Bombs” are re-usable water balloons – perfect for a hot summer’s day! Touched by Ian’s story, many of his friends and classmates also chose to donate their money to Starlight Canada, hoping to help other kids just like him. Way to go!
Donate to Starlight Canada today to join Ian’s mission in providing joy, laughter, and relief to seriously ill children and their families.
Interested in creating your own fundraiser too? It’s easy! Follow Ian’s example and start here today! From lemonade stands this summer to planning your next Zoom party, there’s always a fun opportunity to make a difference. If you’re a Starlight family interested in giving back to other Starlight families, visit Families for Families today!