Nine-year-old Amelia Sullivan of Sault Ste. Marie is on a mission to brighten Christmas for adults and children in need of winter clothing and toys.
Upon learning of Save Our Young Adults before Christmas 2023, Amelia donated clothing and toys from her own home to the SOYA depot located at 178-180 Gore St.
This year Amelia is ramping it up.
“We made a flyer so that we could basically have our whole neighbourhood help us collect donations. And then my dad put it around the whole city,” Amelia said in an interview with SooToday.
“We made a flyer and delivered it in our neighbourhood. Then people in our neighbourhood told their families about it and we’ve had people from all across the city see if we’re still taking donations and if we could pick them up. It’s been an overwhelmingly positive experience,” said Amelia’s father, Andrew Sullivan.
Since Amelia is a Kiwedin Public School student, Andrew also spread the word to the wider Algoma District School Board community.
As a result, approximately 50 bags and boxes of gently used winter clothing items such as toques and gloves as well as toys have been taken to the SOYA depot so far this year.
Donated items are brought to the Sullivan home or Andrew picks them up at donors’ homes. The items are then sorted and taken to the SOYA depot.
“I just really want to help people. They need warm clothes. They’re going to freeze in this really cold winter,” Amelia said.
She recently found out there is a dire need for winter footwear.
“We actually had an entire box of boots. They didn’t even make it into the SOYA store,” Amelia said. Clients in need were waiting at the SOYA depot door when the boots arrived.
Amelia’s parents are justifiably proud of the youngster’s concern for those who are less fortunate.
“I’m very proud to see this much empathy coming from such a young lady. We were chatting about some of the struggles people have. She took that and ran with it and she wants to make sure everybody has something for Christmas,” her father Andrew said.
Amelia’s mother Stephanie Christie is also impressed with the girl’s giving spirit.
“She’s got a heart of gold. Her biggest concern this Christmas is about the donation drive. She didn’t even write a Christmas wish list for herself.
"We try to instill in our kids that they are blessed to not want for anything. Amelia really took that to heart and ran with that idea. Last year she thought ‘I don’t need anything so why don’t I get rid of some of my extras so others who don’t have as much can have something for Christmas,'" Stephanie said.
Amelia said she wants to make her donation campaign for SOYA an annual event.
“I like to support SOYA. They give out everything for free to help people who need it most,” she said.
Amelia and her parents say donations of winter clothing and toys can be made until Thursday, Dec. 19.
Those wanting to donate can contact Andrew Sullivan by text at 905-703-5824. Donations will be taken to SOYA.
“She’s smiling from ear to ear just to see the community support her and rally around what she’s doing," Andrew said.
"Everybody is amazed that she’s so young and doing this. Everybody that we’ve talked to is super impressed with what she’s doing and she’s only nine years old.”
Amelia’s efforts haven’t gone unnoticed by SOYA.
The not-for-profit organization gifted her with a toque, a teddy bear and bracelets while Kiwedin Public School presented her with a citizenship award.
The full text of Amelia’s flyer follows:
Hi, my name is Amelia, I’m 9 and I live in your neighbourhood.
Last year the donations we collected helped over 100 families have gifts under the tree and warm clothes for the winter. This year I am looking to double that number and I can’t do it alone.
As the colder months get closer please look into your closets for some gently used coats or boots that don’t fit and can be put to good use. We are also looking to collect some board games and gently used toys for kids so they can experience the magic of Christmas the same way most of us do!
Donations can be dropped off by texting my dad at 905-703-5824 and we can come pick them up. I know this city has a big heart! Your donations will mean the world to someone!”