It was taking a bit of a risk asking Charlie Stuart what she thought I should do as a challenge to myself as I approach my 65th birthday. She’s a bit of an intimidating eight year-old, after all, having been written up in the Red Deer Advocate for her generous donation of toys to the Christmas Wish Breakfast. She saves some of her allowance all year long to be able to purchase the toys for local kids who need them, and that’s no small feat for anyone. But she lives just down the street from me, so I know beyond all her accomplishments she is really nice. It was a happy visit when I sat with her and her dad in their living room to chat about her generosity.
“I was about five or six when I started doing this,” said Charlie, as she nibbled on her afterschool snacks. “I didn’t think it was hard to save it, really, it was just hard not to spend it. Maybe that’s the same thing. But I have three cans that I put my money in – one for saving, one for charity and one for spending. I was about to open the charity can when we were going to West Edmonton Mall so I had more to spend on myself, but then I figured I already had enough. Plus, I’ll feel really good when I keep putting money in the charity can so I can buy a bunch of toys for other kids again next Christmas.
“As I get older I get more allowance, so it feels really good to be able to put more in the charity can. It feels like it will make a bigger difference. Then I just buy the presents that I would really like to get, because then I think other kids would want them, too. It kind of makes me feel like how Santa and Mrs. Claus must feel, because I’ve giving out a lot of toys. It makes me feel good.”
Now in Grade 3, Charlie has branched out with her charity savings ideas. She has sold some of her things that she wasn’t using anymore and puts those proceeds in her charity can. She credits her parents, David and Myranda, for instilling her sense of giving.
“I know they were really generous before I came along and I think they’re generous still. We are part of different groups that help other people – we’ve gone into Calgary to build beds for kids and we’ve spent money on school supplies for families that can’t afford them.”
If you want to read more about some of the activities Charlie is involved in with her parents, which helped shape her into a giving and caring person, see her Golden Nuggets feature on my website. In the end, I sort of held my breath waiting for her views on how a 65 year-old should challenge herself.
“I think the Great Canadian Cycle would be a good idea. It’s for everybody and the money goes to Kids Cancer Research. I like riding my bike and I think old people should still like to ride their bike, too.”