Lacombe Composite High School student Brianna Ericson has earned the Violet Richardson Award from Soroptimist International of Central Alberta for 2021.
The award recognizes female youths between the ages of 14-17 who show strong volunteer involvement and contribute to the better of their community and the world.
Ericson received a $500 grant and a $500 charitable donation, which she gave to A Better World. She selected projects in Kenya and Red Deer to receive the funds.
Her donation will buy tricycles and ladders for the Kadesh Baby Home and Orphanage in Kenya, which will be used for physiotherapy for children with physical disabilities. It will also pay for feminine kits for Red Deer’s Alternative School Centre, which educates at-risk youth.
“Involving young people at an early age gives great hope in making this world better,” says Eric Rajah, executive director of A Better World.
Ericson has played violin with the Rosedale Valley Strings Orchestra and their youth orchestra’s Music with a Mission program raises funds that helped build numerous schools and water projects in East Africa.
The student also volunteers with the Lacombe Hospital and Care Centre, the Lacombe First Baptist Church and is the co-chair of the Child and Youth Advisory Council for the Alberta Children’s Hospital.