When Pennies Add Up to Big Change
It took nearly a year of hard work, but on October 10, 2013, the Got A Penny Group reached their goal: $25,000 for a community in Kenya. The inspiration behind their epic fundraising quest was We Day Alberta.
At We Day, Sarah Shepherd, now 11, heard about the long distances that women and girls around the world walk every day to collect water. She came home inspired to help. Her original goal was one million pennies for clean water projects. But then Sarah enlisted the help of her brother Andrew Shepherd, 13, and friends Arianna Tenor, 13, and Natasha Tenor, 10. Working together, these four young change-makers began to dream even bigger. Their new goal was $25,000 for the Kenyan community of Ngosuani.
One fundraising initiative followed another, as they reached out to their families, friends, neighbours and local businesses. Their favorite event was the Ford Drive One event, where the local Ford dealership offered new 2013 Fords to test drive. For every person who test drove, Ford would donate $20 dollars. “A lot of people wanted to help, but they weren't exactly sure how,” says Arianna. “This gave them a simple, concrete way to come and donate to us.” The event, which featured a chance to drive the sporty Mustang, raised money for both Ngosuani and Calgary flood relief and was a huge success.
Through the year, the Got a Penny Group stayed motivated by staying focused on what they were fundraising for.“The people I am inspired by are the people who we are raising money for. So, in a way, they're my heroes,” says Andrew, a sentiment that Arianna echoes: "All these people in Kenya, they walk so long every day (to gather water) and it makes me feel like I need to do something."
And, in turn, these four young change-makers are inspiring their own community. Friends, local businesses, Rotary clubs, and the local Lutheran Church of Our Saviour have all responded with overwhelming support and enthusiasm for their cause. “People don't expect people of our age, like 12 and 10 and 11, to be able to do what we've done,” says Arianna, who credits the group's success to teamwork. "You really can't do it by yourself, so it's important to do it in a group. They give you lots of support."
That work and persistence have certainly paid off, as the group celebrates reaching their goal. Their advice to other youth? “You can't sit and wait for it to happen,” says Andrew. "You have to go out and actively search for opportunities to help."