Care packages for children take centre stage

A Sparwood Secondary School student brought a personal and community minded capstone project to Sparwood council on April 21, outlining her effort to create care packages for children admitted to the Alberta Children’s Hospital.

Abbie Sparkes presented the project as part of the Grade 12 capstone series at the regular council meeting.

Teacher Stephan Larson told council BC capstone projects are required for Grade 12 students to earn a graduation certificate. He said the projects give students a chance to demonstrate interests, skills and abilities that may not always show up in regular classes.

Sparkes said her project was rooted in her own childhood medical experience.

“I was formally diagnosed with a tumour on my voice box as an 18-month old,” said Sparkes. “I spent a lot of time in the Alberta Children’s Hospital as a child and continuing on till I was about five years old, being cleared at 10.”

She said the project was her way of giving back to the hospital.

“This capstone project is basically just giving back to the Alberta Children’s Hospital and everything they did for me,” said Sparkes.

Sparkes told council she currently works as a housekeeper at the Causeway Bay Hotel and has previously worked as a server at a seniors home. She also works as a student representative at the Place to Play daycare, where she said she has spent about two and a half years working with children.

“I basically just get to raise and educate and play with a whole bunch of kids as my job, so it’s pretty great,” said Sparkes.

Her project involves a community donation drive to collect items and funds for care packages for children at the hospital. Sparkes said she is creating packages suited to different ages and genders.

“The community has helped me a lot with that actually. They have donated quite a few awesome things,” said Sparkes.

Sparkes said donations are still coming in and she is currently assembling packages.

“My entire bedroom is covered in all of these donations. It’s great,” said Sparkes.

She said she hopes the project supports children and families facing difficult circumstances.

“I’ve had 18 surgeries on my voice box,” said Sparks. “I had so many surgeries on my voice box, and there were so many times the surgeon was like, ‘No, you need to come back, you need more operations.’ And that’s difficult for kids who are very young and for families.”

She asked council for advice, support, contacts and help spreading awareness. Sparkes said she hopes the project can continue with younger students in the future.

“I would like my capstone to continue on to younger generations,” said Sparkes. “That’s why I’m doing this today, so that the council’s aware and this town is aware that this is happening.”

Mayor David Wilks offered to provide contact information for the health ministers in British Columbia and Alberta. Councillor Sam Atwal praised Sparkes for the project and its connection to families who have relied on the Alberta Children’s Hospital.

“As a parent who also had our child go through Alberta Children’s [Hospital] on a regular basis, you hit the nail on the head,” said Atwal. “I just want to say I really appreciate what you’re offering here.”

Councillor Steve Kallies suggested Sparkes speak with district staff about Category 2 funding as a possible avenue for support, while noting he could not promise council approval.

“What I was going to suggest is there is a Category B grant funding,” said Kallies, later correcting himself during the meeting to say it was Category 2 funding.

Sparkes thanked council for the advice and support.