Samantha Young- a very young "grandmother"

Samantha Young is a finalist in the Me to We Awards given by Canadian Living magazine. She has been working hard to raise awareness and money for the 'Grandmothers to Grandmothers' campaign. If she wins, her prize money of $5000.00 would go to the grandmothers. Wow!!

Let's make it happen! Vote at www.metoweawards.com before July19.

Samantha Young
Helping orphans in Africa enriches home town
Alliston, Ontario
Samantha Young, 11 years old, wants to be a part of the 'Grandmothers to Grandmothers' campaign, which is supported by the Stephen Lewis Foundation. When asked why, Samantha said, "The disease (AIDS) is spreading in Africa and all the parents are dying and the grandmothers have to care for the children and the grandmothers are getting sick and then, who will care for the children?"
Samantha got an idea. A local grandmothers' group had just formed and Samantha made wooden bead bracelets. Monies gathered from the sale of bracelets made by Samantha would be passed to the group, who would pass it on to the Stephen Lewis Foundation, for use by the African grandmothers for the children in their care. Giving money to the local grandmothers was important to Samantha. It would strengthen the bond between children and grandmothers in both communities. Samantha said, "We have a lot, they don't have much, we could help the grandmothers take care of the kids. The grandmothers could use the money for medicine, food, clothes and school."
Samantha's commitment led to action. First, at her fall birthday, friends gave monies rather than gifts and this was donated to the 'Grandmothers to Grandmothers' campaign. Samantha's friends were not surprised. Since the age of 7, Samantha's 'birthday presents' have helped The Humane Society, World Vision, and the Hurricane Katrina Relief Fund.
In the school Public Speaking Contest Samantha talked to her Grade 6 classmates about the suffering in Africa and as a result, two months later, Samantha's classmates voted to send a portion of funds earned from their Entrepreneurial Fair to the campaign.
Samantha continued to make bracelets. These bracelets, bearing a tag with a reminder about the African grandmothers, have been sold at a Valentine Tea and Bake Sale, a Bridge Luncheon, an Awareness Raising Event and local businesses in her home town. In less than 6 months Samantha has contributed over $1000.00 to the 'Grandmothers to Grandmothers' campaign.
Samantha's words are modest, "Anyone can help, if they want to."