Some very generous kids were honoured Sunday at the first-ever Stollery Superkids Party for their efforts helping sick children.
Around 175 kids were superstars for a day at Northlands Park after donating money from school fundraisers, lemonade stands and birthday parties to the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation.
The top award of the day, based not on fundraising totals, but rather on the length of commitment to the cause, went to 14-year-old Philippa Madill.
The teenager was first introduced to the Stollery when her older sister was diagnosed with scoliosis more than a decade ago.
“She just spent hours thinking, ‘I want to do something, I want to help those kids, give something back,’” said her mom, Susan Madill.
When her parents held a garage sale at their home in Drayton Valley, Philippa jumped at the opportunity to open a lemonade stand.
At four years old, Philippa knew just what she wanted to do with the proceeds.
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“I said that I wanted to raise money for the Stollery so that I could give the kids toys and books.”
She made just over $40 that year and never looked back, raising more and more money each year.
In 10 years, Philippa estimates she’s given away a few thousand dollars. Recently, she had to branch out with her lemonade stands.
“Because my mom kind of ran out of things to sell at the garage sales, I’ve been doing them at sporting events in town, the triathlon and the local bike race,” she said.
Why fundraise?
“The feeling you get once you’ve done it? It just feels so good!”
At one point, Philippa was also diagnosed with scoliosis, becoming a Stollery patient herself. Still, she kept holding regular lemonade stands.
It’s something that brings tears to her mother’s eyes.
“Needless to say I have lots of Kleenex,” Susan said. “I’m a pretty proud mom.”
The Stollery Superkids at Sunday’s event at Northlands Park raised over $318,000.
Mike House, president of the Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation, said it’s heartwarming to see little ones giving so much.
“In the last five years, we’ve seen a real influx in kids wanting to help kids.”
The money helps sick kids at the Stollery.
“That’s in the form of specialized equipment, sometimes that’s in the form of training, sometimes it’s in the form of research and family-centered care,” he explained.
This year, Philippa started benefitting from the donations herself – as the hospital received a new X-ray machine.
“She gets to see the direct result of her lemonade stand – selling 50 cent lemonade and little cupcakes and giving back,” said her mom.
The new technology produces better images and gives off less radiation.
“Radiation exposure is always something I’ve been concerned about. Twice a year, three times a year, my children are X-ray’d,” Susan explained.
The Superkids party helped take Philippa’s mind off things like radiation and focus on simply being a kid – with an awards ceremony, free lunch and midway passes to K-Days.
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