A 12-year-old Langley girl is raising funds for a Maple Ridge-based group making arrangements for soon-to-arrive Ukrainians.
Sending help from miles away, Grade 7 student Riley Campbell spent her week selling cookies at various locations around Langley – all to raise money for refugees coming from Ukraine.
Selling each cookie for a loonie, Campbell has raised approximately $1,300 so far – that includes cash donations she received from what she calls generous community members.
The money raised will benefit Ridge Meadows Ukrainian Welcoming Committee. The local group aims to help Ukrainians hoping to settle in the area, given that the Canadian government has pledged to take in an “unlimited number” of Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion.
Riley had already set up with her cookie stand at five different locations before visiting Timms Community Centre on Tuesday, April 12.
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During her one-and-a-half-hour stay at Timms, many people stopped by her kiosk, to buy cookies or simply donate money for the cause.
A student of Sunrise Ridge Elementary in Surrey, Riley was inspired to take the initiative after watching the coverage of the war unfold on television.
“I saw people suffering and dying everyday and I always wondered… what if that would have been me.”
She started planning for the fundraiser last month, and within a couple of weeks, Riley was ready – selling her first batch at her school.
Next, she went to Surrey’s German language school before visiting Xtreme Cheer and Dance, as well as Langley Community Music School.
READ MORE: Maple Ridge deli raising money to help Ukrainian orphans
She also sold the cookies in her neighbourhood, going door to door.
Riley’s parents helped her connect with businesses for sponsorship, but noted that she managed everything from communication with buyers and suppliers to making the packages on her own.
All the cookies were donated by grocery stores, including Safeway and Save-On-Foods.
Riley’s mother said she is proud of her little girl.
“She has been putting a lot of efforts. I am proud of her for doing this.”
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Is there more to the story? Email: news@langleyadvancetimes.com
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