Troy Shantz
While many 12-year-olds play video games and surf the Internet this time of year, Paige Ferguson is addressing hunger in the community.
And she’s found a tasty way to do it.
Paige organizes an annual bake sale and donates 100% of the proceeds to the Inn of the Good Shepherd. In six years her event has sold enough cookies and cakes to raise $5,400.
The Lakeroad Public School student said she got the idea in Grade 1 during a school canned food drive. And the total raised keeps going up.
“It’s gone from $500, to $200, to $800 to just over $2,000. It’s pretty amazing,” she said.
Paige’s mom, Pauline Henderson, said her daughter has volunteered at the soup kitchen understands how the Inn works and the impact she’s having there.
“She sees where it’s used,” she said.
In 2013, Paige was recognized for her efforts with an Ontario Volunteer Service Award.
More recently, she’s leading an ‘Adobt-a-Family’ project, partnering Lakeroad with a local family in need. The project has a community-minded theme that one of her teachers, Melissa Dent, has incorporated into lessons and assignments.
“This year in the classroom we’re focusing on community challenges, and what can you do personally to reach out to your community,” Dent said.
“Paige is already there because she’s been doing it for years.”
The concept appears to be infectious. Another student in Dent’s class, Lauren Morrison, is raising money to build a school in Kenya.
Paige’s mom said she’s impressed by what her daughter has already accomplished.
“She was only in Grade 1, and for the school to be able to instill that in her, that there’s this need, and for her to be able to build on that over this time, is just amazing,” she said.
This year’s bake sale on Dec. 19 has expanded to include
chili and hotdogs, and Paige said her future plans include adding lasagna and pies.
Anyone who would like to contribute to the bake sale can email her teacher, Melissa Dent, at [email protected].
IF YOU GO:
WHAT: Paige’s Bake Sale
WHERE: Grace United Church, 990 Cathcart Blvd.
WHEN: Monday, Dec. 19, 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
NOTE: All proceeds to support the Inn of the Good Shepherd. Hot dogs and chili also available.