by John Syratt
It started out as an argument
amongst her children in the car. Canadian Olympic Gold Medalist Michelle
Cameron-Coulter was being distracted by the noise coming from
10-year-old Alissa, 8-year-old Spencer and 6- year-old Jacqueline.
Michelle tried to change the atmosphere by asking her kids where they
would like to spend their summer vacation.
The three quickly forgot about
their quarrel and the conversation went immediately to holiday planning.
Disneyland and Hawaii were topping the list when Alissa, who remembered
how great it was to give toys to some children in a Mexican village on a
previous holiday, asked if they could return to Mexico with more toys
for the kids there. With that wish A Gift of Love was born.
Within a short space of time
and following a number of phone calls, 22 schools got involved, numerous
sponsors joined in, including Precision Drilling, WestJet and Boardwalk
Equities.
Just six weeks from that
discussion in the car, 135 people boarded a WestJet 737 loaded with
gently used toys, shoes and school supplies for almost 2,000 poor and
orphaned Mexican children.
The entourage, made up of 65
young students, plus parents and organizers, was welcomed with the
joyful sounds of a mariachi band. Precision Drilling arranged for the
four buses needed to transport the group and the goodies to the
different locations.
"It’s just nice to help other
kids who don’t have as much as we do," observed 10-year-old Alissa whose
wish came true in Mexico last month.
"Right now, we’re living a
miracle," said Alissa’s mom, Michelle. "Now they know they can make a
difference."
"This is just the beginning,"
Michelle continued. "This year’s goal is to have at least four
events. Two where we travel abroad and two in our own backyard.
"The goal is also to take A
Gift of Love across the country to help make a larger impact and
enable all children to participate...one gift of love at a time," she
concluded. "We know that kids helping kids can, and is now starting to,
help make this world a better place. It’s the little things that make
the big difference. We cannot underestimate the power of a child’s
love."
