A 10-year-old central Albertan is helping young victims of trauma.
Sylvan Lake’s Charlie Casado has been setting up booths to sell books around her community. She used the money to stuff backpacks for local children.
The second-year Girl Guide got the backpack idea after catching an episode of Ellen Degeneres with her mom Bobbe about foster care children who carry their belongings around in almost empty garbage bags.
The two were inspired and wanted to do something similar, so Charlie can become a Pathfinder, and eventually, a Ranger with Girl Guides of Canada.
So far, they’ve donated seven backpacks to victim services in Red Deer, and another seven to Sylvan Lake and District Victim Services. The next set of backpacks will be for the Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre.
“I was really happy to drop the backpacks off so some kid out there is going to get a backpack, and they’re going to know that people in the community care and they’re going to have a smile on their face,” said Charlie this week.
The backpacks are different depending on the age of the child, but come with essentials such as toothbrush, toothpaste, a pair of PJs, a comfort toy, a journal and a puzzle or colouring book.
Backpacks for younger kids also have diapers and cost anywhere around $50 or more.
Each backpack also comes with a card from Charlie that reads, “this backpack has some stuff in it that I hope will make you smile, and make your day.”
The project has done better than expected for the mother-daughter team.
“It was actually a project that wasn’t suppose to happen yet,” said Bobbe, but “it’s taken off with the help of community.”
Charlie, who is home schooled, has been selling books and homemade fire starters since last summer, but stopped for a while as winter hit.
But she couldn’t stay away for too long. In February, she set up a booth at Scotiabank in Sylvan Lake for two weeks.
“We thought it was going to take a little while,” Charlie said, explaining that would give the family enough time to raise money until she becomes a Pathfinder.
The pair will continue with the backpack project, provided they receive donations of cash or books.
So far, Charlie has emptied her mom’s library. Other groups have also donated to the cause: the Red Deer Firefighters Children’s Charity and book donations from Parkland Regional Library.
The 48-year-old mom is “proud as a punch” of her daughter for thinking of others and helping those around her.
Those looking to donate can keep an eye out for Charlie at the Scotiabank Sylvan Lake booth or call Bobbe at 403-887-1944.
mamta.lulla@reddeeradvocate.com
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