FERGUS – Nine-year-old Mark Smith of Fergus is collecting empty beer cans and alcohol bottles from the community and donating funds raised to The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto, where he has received treatment.
Half of the money raised is being donated to Sick Kids “for the people who need help,” Mark explained, with the rest going to his Make-a-Wish trip – and potentially his post-secondary education.
He got the idea to collect empties from his cousins, who did the same thing last year to raise money for a school trip.
“It didn’t surprise me … he’s a very caring boy,” said Trish Smith of her son’s fundraising idea.
After finishing school on June 10, Mark needed a summer project. The next evening he and his family set out an “Empties for Sick Kids” sign and a box for the donations, in front of their Forfar Street East home.
On the first night Mark didn’t expect to much, if anything, but he was surprised by the results, having $20 worth of cans donated that evening.
He explained his daily summer routine thus far includes working with the empties in the afternoons, “and then I have a break in between to play with my sisters.”
Mark estimates 10 to 20 people have come by to donate as of his June 16 interview with the Advertiser.
“Every little bit helps,” said Trish.
One man brought a large load of cans, with the condition that all the tabs be taken off and given to another boy in town who is collecting them.
While Mark was happy to do it for that load, taking the tabs off and crushing all of the cans is too much to do for all empties.
Last time Mark counted he had about $130 worth of empties, and his current goal is to reach $200.
“I get $100 and Sick Kids gets $100,” he explained.
Even if he reaches this goal his stand will remain open for the summer, as more donations are always welcome.
Mark chose to donate to SickKids as he has been a longtime patient there.
He was born with tracheoesophageal fistula and esophageal atresia (TEF/EA), and has developed other health conditions as well.
He’s had multiple surgeries and procedures, but the motto for TEF/EA is “fixed but never healed,” notes Trish on the Guelph Wish Fund website.
Mark is managing okay with his health condition. Last year his feeding tube was finally able to come out, and a party was held with some of his friends to celebrate.
Mark’s diet now consists of purees, but he is working towards solid food, which will take time.
“His esophagus still doesn’t work the way it should,” Trish explained.
Mark’s fundraising campaign was inspired by one particular trip to SickKids, during which he had fun playing video games on a SickKids console.
He talked to his mom about how all of the amenities that patients and parents enjoy cost money.
So he decided to raise money to help purchase books, games and “comfy chairs for the moms,” at Sick Kids through the hospital’s Get Better Gifts program.
Trish explained the program accepts gifts in someone else’s name, so it’s possible for people who can’t donate empties to still contribute to the efforts.
Last year the Smith family had planned a Make-a-Wish trip to California, but it was cancelled due to COVID-19.
The family hopes to go soon and half of the funds Mark raises through the collection of empties will help pay for some extra activities while he’s on the trip.
Mark intends to update the community on what is donated to Sick Kids, by posting on a Centre Wellington community Facebook page.
For more information on the Sick Kids Get Better Gifts program visit https://getbettergifts.sickkidsfoundation.com/collections/all-gifts.
