When three youngsters from Cambridge heard of a fire that tore through Cambridge Memorial Hospital last month, they knew they wanted to help.
The three neighbourhood friends quickly came together and joined forces.
Ben Goyette, 9, Ania Bojara, 10, and 12-year-old Apar Singh, ran into their homes, grabbed what goodies they could find, and began making sales around their Cambridge neighbourhood.
“They all went back to their houses and grabbed stuff to sell. They are all neighbourhood friends and live on the same street,” said Ben’s mother, Krista Goyette.
“One grabbed his birthday candy, another one grabbed some Bear Paws, and another grabbed juice boxes. Then off they went to sell their goods so they could donate to a good cause.”
After walking door-to-door, the money was counted, with a grand total of almost $40 raised.
“I knew that the hospital is always accepting donations. The kids thought this was a really good idea. I contacted the hospital, and they told me where to go to make the donation,” Goyette said.
“They brought out the big cheque and made it a grand event. It was a really big deal for these kids.”
Katie McMullen, development officer of events at the Cambridge Memorial Hospital Foundation, said it was a hard week for many hospital staff employees, just after the fire.
“It was so lovely to have these kids pop in that afternoon. The Hospital Foundation does get a lot of donations and in a variety of sizes. It’s not the amount that we care about,” McMullen said.
“I think that this donation exemplifies that. It is really the thought behind it from these kids.”
A fire in a mechanical room on the roof of the “B” wing of the hospital last month left over $1 million in damage.
“This donation came the week after the fire. So, knowing that the intent was to help with the expenses and how traumatic this was for staff, we all thought this was just so sweet,” McMullen said.
“And to know that their neighbours were so happy to contribute to this, the sense of community on their end was really lovely.”
Ben said he felt good because he really wanted to help people.
“I wanted to raise money because I have been in that hospital three times, so I wanted to give back,” he said.
“I felt really excited. Some of our neighbours were really proud of us for doing this for the hospital, and some gave extra money because they knew what we were doing.”
Ania said she felt a little nervous heading into the hospital but knowing her donation was going towards a good cause made her feel very happy to help.
Voyette said the whole experience has been so exciting for these three neighbourhood friends.
“They were ecstatic. That’s why we really wanted to make this a big deal for them, because they were really proud and happy to have done it,” Goyette said.
McMullen shared the story internally on the Cambridge Memorial Hospital communications board.
“It was just so touching for a lot of our staff here and they felt that same sentiment, that the amount does not matter. Just knowing that even our young neighbours care about the hospital is really touching,” McMullen said.
Apar’s mother, Sheena Singh, said she is very proud of her son, who is always eager to help others.
“I’ve had this idea was for a long time, to donate to a good cause. Someone came to our door selling chocolates, and that’s what gave me the idea to do something like this,” Apar said.
“I felt very happy and excited to be able to help. I just like giving back.”
