Philanthropy starts at an early age for one award winner
At only seven years old, Bella Beck is making her mark on the world. The youngster from Fleetwood Bawden Elementary School has been chosen as an honouree for the Young Philanthropist award, presented by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Southern Alberta Chapter.
Beck joins six other honourees who were announced for the 2016 “Inspiring Philanthropy Awards” at city hall on Thursday. They will be honoured at an awards luncheon on National Philanthropy Day on Nov. 17.
“We’re celebrating philanthropists locally in Lethbridge, but it’s really an international celebration,” said Whitney Tamayose, AFP co-chair of the awards planning committee. “Around the world, people who give back to their communities give their time, their talent and their treasure to better the organizations and communities they’re a part of.”
The honourees were chosen by a jury consisting of fellow community members from nominations in the six categories.
The honourees are: Fortis Alberta (Aboriginal); Stantec and Ward Bros. (tied for Corporate Philanthropist); the Wichers family (Individual Philanthropist/Family); the CCH Interact Club (Philanthropic Group); Balog Auction (Small Business); and Bella Beck (Youth Philanthropist).
Beck is the founder of “Treats for a Cause.” She bakes tasty treats such as cookies and lemonade in her family’s kitchen and sells them at a table at the Southern Alberta Art Gallery.
She came up with the idea because she wanted to help those who had lost their homes due to the devastating wildfire in Fort McMurray.
Beck says it made her feel “happy” when she raised more than $500 for Fort McMurray.
“I wanted to help the people,” she said. Beck donated her latest proceeds to SAAG’s “Live Art. Love SAAG.” campaign.
She says she plans to continue helping others because “I just like doing it.”
National Philanthropy Day is a celebration of philanthropy and charitable engagement that highlights the accomplishments, large or small, that everyone involved in the philanthropic process make to our world.
While philanthropy has been around for ages, in 2012, Canada became the first country to recognize it with a special day, said Tamayose.
“I really think (philanthropy) is such a critical piece in our community when it comes to bringing the community together and showing support for each other in many different ways,” she said. “It’s about volunteer work. It’s about giving back monetarily.”
The AFP Southern Alberta Chapter will host its second annual National Philanthropy Day and awards luncheon on Nov. 17 at 11:30 a.m. in the Canadian Western Bank Lounge at the Enmax Centre. Tickets are $40 for members or $50 for non-members.
Tickets are available at