A young girl from the RM of Stanley with a heart for helping others recently demonstrated that passion to mark her 10th birthday.
Kaylee Henderson and her family live south of Morden
Due to pregnancy complications, Kaylee was born three months early, said her mom, Amy. "She did have some health concerns and was quite tiny. She was 2 pounds and 4 ounces, so she did spend three months in the NICU in Winnipeg, and when she was ready we were able to bring her home."
While Kaylee was in Winnipeg, Amy and Chris (Kaylee's dad) stayed with family in the city, allowing them to see her in the NICU every day. "But, we did spend our three months away from our family and our other two daughters, who stayed with my parents while we were away," said Amy.
This year on January 25th, Kaylee turned 10 years old, and instead of receiving gifts, she asked friends, family, and classmates to help her support the new Level 2 NICU under construction at Boundary Trails Health Centre.
On Wednesday, Kaylee proudly presented Foundation Executive Director Shannon Samatte-Folkett with a cheque for $2,660.
"I know it's hard because like if you're doing like if you're in the Children's Hospital, then, like you really miss your family... And because I was in this (BTHC) hospital for my 10th birthday, I wanted to help because they probably needed a lot of help to make, like, expand their business," exclaimed Kaylee referring to the over $100-million expansion underway at the Boundary Trails Health Centre.
"So when I heard that there was the NICU coming, I was like 'Ohh, I should like help and I can make it like faster for them to build," added Kaylee.
When Kaylee turned five, she also spearheaded a drive to collect stuffies for Katie's Cottage. "Because she had been a recipient in some of her stays here at Boundary, she wanted to give back to them as well," said Amy.
Amy added it is going to be huge for our area to have a Level 2 NICU, allowing other families in a similar situation to what their family experienced, stay closer to home. "Being her 10th birthday, our family all thought it was a great opportunity to be able to do a little fundraiser."
Amy said she and her husband, Kaylee's dad, Chris are proud of Kaylee for the drive and passion she has for using her own experience to give back. "It's awesome to see someone that age, who would want to give back from her experience."
BTHC Foundation Executive Director, Shannon Samatte-Folkett says she was speechless by Kaylee's generosity - and listening to the young girl share why she wanted to help - gave her "goosebumps."
"She is going to be an amazing little philanthropist throughout her life. She sees the big picture," said Samatte-Folkett. "And we are always grateful when the youth get involved and they see things that the community needs at such a young age. Because I mean the potential when they grow up is amazing, right? And, I am speechless listening to her because we are going to do some really great things, and learning about families who did have to stay in the city, and now when the Level 2 NICU is complete, they won't have to do that. They can stay closer to home."
Samatte-Folkett says bringing services closer to home for their community, is the whole purpose of the Foundation.