Jason Stockfish, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter | [email protected]
For the fifth year in a row, Marco Bulfon, 12, set out to raise money for the Stollery Children鈥檚 Hospital in Edmonton.
As with year鈥檚 past, his efforts were successful, raising $9,271.37 in 2021.
This year, the inspiration for his fundraising efforts, younger sister Eliana, 7, decided it was her time to start building community.
Together, the siblings have raised a total of $30,000 to help the Stollery, which in turn will use those donations to help other children.
When she was but a few weeks old, Eliana spent some time at the Stollery after falling ill while her family was in Edmonton.
It was this visit to the hospital that inspired her brother to begin raising money to help other children like his sister.
鈥淚 started fundraising because when my sister was a baby, she got sick and had to go to the Stollery,鈥� Marco said.
鈥淚 decided that I鈥檇 like to help everyone that has to go there to get better.鈥�
Eliana said her motivation for fundraising for Stollery was to help other children.
鈥淚 just wanted to help kids feel better,鈥� she said.
In her first year of fundraising, Eliana contributed $5,937.38 to the children鈥檚 hospital.
When he first looked to raise money five years ago, Marco turned to the tried-and-true lemonade stand.
This time around, Marco, with help from Eliana, turned to selling goods donated by a local artist and a local business.
鈥淚鈥檇 like to give a big thanks to Andrea Wilson (who donated beautifully painted rocks to sell),鈥� Marco said.
鈥淎lso, I鈥檇 like to thank Rocky Mountain Roasters who (provided) boxes of coffee at a reduced rate鈥� and created (unique) labels for the coffee. They also made a special type of coffee where (much) of the proceeds went to the Stollery.鈥�
This year, the Jasper Volunteer Fire Brigade matched the fundraised amounts, which is included in the $9,271.37.
Eliana offered thanks to the Brigade for their contribution.
