Youth group idea wins $1,000 from Awesome Airdrie
The third time iss the charm.
That was the case for Airdrie resident Alicia Laurin, who won the most recent Awesome Airdrie $1,000 prize on Sept. 26 at Good Earth Cafe with her “Pay it Forward” youth fundraising group.
Laurin pitched an idea at the pitch party in June and proposed two ideas at the most recent event. The one that caught the judges attention is a youth-organized non-profit society called Cre8.
Awesome Airdrie is a community-driven initiative where 10 residents and business people donate $100 each to an awesome idea. The winning pitch gets the $1,000 to make their idea happen.
Laurin’s pitch involved aThe group of about seven to 10 teens between the ages of 13 and 17, who would fundraise to hand outprovide gift cards or supplies to children across Canada who have an idea to pay it forward in some way in their community.
“It is going to be an awesome adventure,” said Laurin.
“If we can get the right kids to make the right choices, this is going to be great for the community.”
Last year, Laurin spearheaded a Pay It Forward campaign that involved a number of local schools and about 30 local businesses. She said about $2,000 worth of prizes were given away during the campaign.
“We wanted to give the money to the idea that would affect the most people and we thought it was great that it was going to be all about the kids,” said Awesome Airdrie Judge Bev Chinnery.
Laurin said she got the idea for the program while trying to teach her children, ages five, nine and 14, to appreciate what they have and the importance of giving to others who are less fortunate.
“Kids now a days have such high expectations and they don’t realize the hard work that goes into earning money,” she said.
“The children involved in the program will learn how hard life can be for others and will feel the sense of accomplishment you get from giving back.”
She said she would like to work with local organizations such as Community Links and the Boys and Girls Club of Airdrie to choose children who would most benefit from being a part of the project.
“If we can include some youth who are headed in the wrong direction, they are going to benefit and get a sense of direction and focus,” she said.
For more information, visit the Airdrie Pay it Forward Facebook page or email Laurin at alicialaurin@shaw.ca
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