YOUNG ACTIVISTS RAISE $361 FOR HAITI RELIEF SELLING HOT CHOCOLATE
Asbarez
Jan 20th, 2010
The 11-year-old activists attend the Briardale School in St.
Catharines (from left to right) are Mikodo, Seager, Malavai, Armand,
and Chris. Photo credit: Natalie Istanboulian
ST. CATHERINES, Ontario-The images of the disaster in Haiti are
being broadcast to all corners of the world, and folks of all ages
are worried, concerned, and saddened by the events unfolding after
last week’s 7.0 earthquake.
One of those watching the images was 11-year-old Armand Istanboulian,
a sixth grader whose family attends the St. Paul Armenian Church in
St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada.
Armand began asking a lot of questions about the images, especially
those of the children trapped in rubble or going without food and
water.
"He was trying to comprehend the loss of lives," says Armand’s mother
Patty. "He was asking a lot of questions, and we talked about a way
that we could help and remembered that a couple of years ago sister
Natalie did a fundraiser for cancer research."
Armand and his sister Natalie had set up a Kool-Aid stand a few years
ago with their father Vicken (an AYF Alumnus) and mother Patty to
raise funds for cancer research. But since it’s extremely cold in St.
Catherines, which is near Niagara Falls, Armand thought a hot chocolate
stand would be a better option instead of Kool-Aid.
"Armand and his friends had been talking about the earthquake, so
he thought it would be a good idea to have them join in and within
a couple of days the event was organized," says Patty.
Armand and his friends met on the Friday following the Haiti
Earthquake, January 15, made posters and flyers, decided on what
price to charge for the hot chocolate and baked goods.
On Saturday morning, the 11-year-olds handed out flyers to neighbors,
and on Saturday afternoon these young activists held their fundraiser
between two and four in the afternoon.
"The response was amazing," says Patty. "Almost everyone who stopped
by gave an additional donation. That day they raised $306.29, and
since then have raised an additional $55 from friends and family who
were unable to come by on Saturday."
The young activists will be taking the money to the Canadian Red
Cross office this Friday, January 22.