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Sarah Simpson Column: In a world full of darkness, be the light

Doing good, no matter how small the act, can make a big impact
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The community has rallied to help a group of Cowichan’s international students in their efforts to raise money for Ukraine through a bottle drive. (Submitted by Lelean MacFarlane)

As a host mother to two international students, Lélean MacFarlane’s home is always abuzz with activity for one reason or another.

Lately though, the activity has been tainted by worry as the international students, even more so perhaps than local youth, have been keeping an eye on the international news.

“My place has wound up being the meeting place lately. Last weekend there were 13 kids in my basement and I overheard them talking about what is going on in Ukraine as well as Europe,” MacFarlane explained. “They are scared, nervous, apprehensive and they feel so helpless. Many of them came to Canada unsure of what the situation with COVID would be and whether they’d be stuck here, and now they are questioning what Europe will look like for them when they go home.”

MacFarlane said listening to the teens talk and hearing “the pain in their words would bring tears to your eyes.”

She knew she had to help them through their feelings, and at least try to help them feel like they’re contributing to the aid efforts set up for those in Ukraine who could really use a helping hand.

“I put on my thinking cap and quickly formulated a harebrained plan. I was smart enough to serve them freshly baked cookies before I put in my ask,” she said.

Hey, cookies go a long way sometimes. Especially for motivated teens.

What do many Canadian kids do to make some money for a cause? A bottle drive of course.

And so it began.

Their first goal was really understated: a whopping $20. Matched dollar for dollar by the Canadian Red Cross, that would make it $40.

“But judging by the mother lode that was just dropped off, I think we will meet that goal,” MacFarlane noted early in their campaign. “It’s probably a small drop in the bucket for what other people are doing, but it made my heart burst to see their enthusiasm.”

At the time this column is being written, the crew had made more than $300. With the Canadian Red Cross matching them dollar for dollar, that’s more than $600 in aid.

“We had so many bottles after a day and a half that a number of students came over on Sunday to help sort,” she said.

Powered by cheap pizza and a worthy cause, the group got to sorting and made short work of their bottles and cans.

“I’m proud of these kids not just for their willingness to help but for their willingness to talk about some pretty painful concerns,” MacFarlane said. “Just like us they hesitate to watch the news and there is a tug-of-war between wanting to be aware of what’s going on and being sickened by the helpless feelings.”

As more and more empties are being collected, the youth are talking more and more about how they feel about what is happening in the world, and how they can play a role in adding some light back into these dark days.

“Just like us, they are afraid to watch the news but also afraid to ignore it,” MacFarlane said. “It is such a fine balance as a parent. We want to shelter [them] for obvious reasons but we also want our children to understand how small acts make a big difference. Not until we are personally impacted do we realize how true that is.”

MacFarlane said she’s honoured she was able to lead them through their endeavour and that her heart has been warmed by those stepping up to support the youth and their meaningful cause.

“I have loved the fact that every day I come home to more donations. Sometimes it is bags of cans/bottles but often it is just a handful of individual items,” she explained. “Those mean almost more to me because someone took the time to walk over and contribute what they had.”

What’s more, Print Craft printed their posters for free and Panago contributed pizzas on their final big sorting weekend.

“The outpouring from the community has been amazing,” she said.

Let’s hope the outpouring from the world will do the same for Ukraine and others in dire need across the globe.

For those who wish to help these students in their quest to make a positive contribution, the account name at the Norcross Road Return-It depot is #587 or just say “Fairview Ukraine”.

The account will be open until the end of March.



sarah.simpson@cowichanvalleycitizen.com

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28435211_web1_220317-CCI-SarahColumn242-bottledrive_1
The community has rallied to help a group of Cowichan’s international students in their efforts to raise money for Ukraine through a bottle drive. (Submitted by Lelean MacFarlane)


Sarah Simpson

About the Author: Sarah Simpson

I started my time with Black Press Media as an intern, before joining the Citizen in the summer of 2004.
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