Serving up lemonade to help BC fire evacuees

By Joanne Abshire

“Babies need diapers. People need houses,” says 8-year-old Kamloops resident Jenna Kansky. 

Jenna and her 7-year-old friend Isabella Sharp set-up a lemonade stand to raise funds to support the Canadian Red Cross BC Fires appeal.  The girls will enter third grade at Juniper Ridge Elementary in September.

The lemonade stand was Isabella’s idea and Jenna suggested donating to the Canadian Red Cross.  Kansky is an experienced lemonade retailer, as she raised funds following the 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire. 

On a hot July afternoon, the duo served up glasses of cool, fresh lemonade and raised a total of $155.05. The two young women also love animals and have dedicated $50.00 of their proceeds to the BC SPCA’s efforts to support pets impacted by the fires.  The balance was donated to the Red Cross.

It was difficult for the girls to imagine being without the basic comfort of home like their “pets, pillow, and stuffy”.  That is why they felt the urgent need to help others – especially other kids.

“It’s hard for them [evacuees] to find more homes because all the land has burned for them, and for the pets, all their food is gone too, and all the kids’ toys,” says Isabella with a worried look.

Caitlin Sharp, Isabella’s mother, says she was very supportive of the girls’ efforts.  

“I was very proud of them.  I like to encourage Isabella to come up with these ideas on her own to give back to the community as we are very blessed to live in Canada, and in Kamloops. I like for the kids to understand at an early age what it means to give back and how it feels.”

If you want to help, you can make a financial donation to the Canadian Red Cross BC Fires Appeal.
 
 

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