Children raise $511,832 to support hospital

Kids who raised money for the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation gathered at Calaway Park on Sunday to celebrate their efforts.

More than 830 children and teens raised $511,832 over the past year through the Kids Helping Kids program.

“We know that all gifts — big and small — play a part in helping ensure families in our community receive the best care possible,” said Meghan Kociuba, manager of community initiatives and events for the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation. “Each year we are humbled by this wonderful group of kids and teens who are so passionate about helping their peers.”

Three girls were presented with a hero award in recognition of their fundraising efforts at a celebration Sunday.

Taneil Prouty, 11, of Brooks was inspired to help after respiratory issues twice sent her younger sister to the Alberta Children’s Hospital. Over the summer, she and her friends Ainsley Marbach, 11, and Peighton Johnson, 12, raised more than $2,200 in support of the hospital by running a lemonade stand and bake sale.

“Spending time at the Alberta Children’s Hospital while my sister was sick and seeing her and many other kids there, I felt like I wanted to do something to help,” said Prouty.

Funds raised through the program support equipment, programming and research to help the 95,000 children who rely on the hospital’s care every year.