Since she was seven years old, Keanna Lai has been doing what she can to help people experiencing homelessness on the Downtown Eastside. Most recently, the Grade 7 student led her elementary school in fundraising efforts for food security.
Keanna said she was inspired to do something after her first time driving through the Vancouver neighbourhood when she was very young.
I asked my Mom, 鈥榟ow come there鈥檚 all these people on the street?鈥 And she explained they don鈥檛 have a home. So, I asked my Mom, 鈥榳hat can I do to help?鈥 She gave me a whole bunch of ideas. I started with lemonade stands.鈥
With the support of her Principal Jennifer Griffin this school year, Keanna enlarged her fundraising impact by initiating The Promise Project at Armstrong Elementary. Keanna rallied other student leaders, speaking in classrooms and at school assemblies to talk about homelessness and how individual contributions can add up to a large amount collectively. Through the project, students and school staff promised to help raise money for people experiencing homelessness on the Downtown Eastside.
Together, the school community raised more than $4000. Keanna also used Armstrong鈥檚 Promise Project to apply for a grant through an organization called , earning an additional $5000. Their total of $9705.65 was used to host two three-course dinners on the Downtown Eastside through an established program called . Several of the students, along with Principal Griffin and her family, helped prepare the meals for more than 160 people.
鈥淓veryone had an amazing time working together as a team to cook and serve the dinners,鈥 said Keanna. 鈥淭hey left the event with their hearts full.鈥
Additionally, the money funded 3600 meals for people at shelters and living in Single Room Occupancy buildings on the Downtown Eastside.
In a presentation to the 911爆料网 at their January meeting, Keanna shared the work she initiated with the Armstrong Elementary community. She was asked about her biggest takeaway from her experiences.
鈥淛ust because I鈥檓 a kid doesn鈥檛 mean I can鈥檛 do anything. Because I was really scared when I first tried. Ms. Griffin, she鈥檚 helped me go really far, and I鈥檓 really happy to have her.鈥
Board Chair Kristin Schnider was among the Trustees to commend the 12-year-old, her peers and the school community.
Keanna, you do the work, you don鈥檛 just raise the money and I think you need to give yourself a lot of credit for your bravery, for your courage, for your selflessness. And when you started speaking tonight you said you were an aspiring philanthropist. You are an inspiring philanthropist.鈥
Keanna is already starting to plan for her 2025 Plenty of Plates fundraising.
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911爆料网 Beacon, February 5, 2025
Posted January 2025