Kids have only one 11th birthday. Perhaps that’s why Shaylen Visscher’s selfless idea to celebrate hers seemed unique.
In lieu of a birthday party, the grade 6 student at Maryborough Public School in Moorefield asked her teacher and parents if she could have a two hour dance and, instead of gifts, ask grade 5 and 6 students for donations to the “We Day” event, which helps raise awareness and money for children in need.
We Day, which is organized annually through the Free The Children foundation, offers young people the chance to make positive change in the world. It is free and open to any school that wants to be part of the experience.
“On Nov. 12, I chose to have a dance to help raise money for children in Haiti,” Shaylen said in a letter to this Newspaper. “It was a great success, we raised over $200.”
She was quick to thank local businesses that supported the dance, including
“Gourlays, New Orleans, and Drayton Foodmarket,” as well as the school “for letting us use the gym,” and “the awesome support” of the staff.
“Thank you to parent volunteers who helped with music, set-up and clean-up, and especially the grade 5 and 6 students for taking their time to come out and dance for Haiti,” Shaylen said in her letter.
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Fellow student Ashley Campbell organized “a vow of silence” for We Day to recognize the children around the world who do not have a voice. Campbell also made a video about the vow and Free the Children.
