Ava Walker had a personal stake in contributing to White Rock's Daytime Warming Centre.
Walker, a Grade 11 student at Grandview Heights Secondary School, worked with students at her former elementary school, Rosemary Heights, to fundraise $450 and donate some around 500 pairs of socks and mittens to the centre.
“It was really special to me because my grandfather was homeless when he was growing up.” she explained to White Rock council at the Jan. 27 meeting, before presenting a cheque to Mayor Megan Knight.
Walker noted that her former elementary school teacher also helped her organize the project.
“On behalf of the City of White Rock, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Ava for her incredible efforts in raising funds for our Daytime Warming Centre,” commented Knight.
"Ava is a shining example of how our youth can make a meaningful difference, and we are so proud to have such remarkable individuals in our city.”
White Rock’s Daytime Warming Centre operates in the parking lot of Centennial Arena daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
While the city contracts Lookout Housing and Health Society and the Engaged Communities Canada Society to operate the warming centre, the centre is entirely funded by the city and donations from the public.
