Innisfail's Zach Smith knows how to turn a disappointing situation into a positive one.
That's exactly what Smith did by donating more than $500 to those in need with the Food for Families program, created by Red Deer's Family Services of Central Alberta, and the Innisfail Christmas Bureau.
The Grade 7 student at Innisfail Middle School decided to help make Christmas extra special for several families in the Innisfail and Red Deer area this year after a scheduled international school trip to New York City this coming spring was recently cancelled due to global security concerns.
“Other people need it more than I did,” said Smith. “It made me feel really good.”
Smith said he understands the importance of giving to others less fortunate, especially at Christmastime.
“I have that opportunity to have a good Christmas and other people don't,” he said. “So when they do get that chance it's really good.”
The school trip was scheduled for this April but was cancelled prior to Christmas. Zach's mother Annette Atwell received a letter in December stating that the board of Chinook's Edge School Division was expected to address the situation at a meeting this month.
“I got a phone call from the principal and they decided to go ahead and cancel the trip,” said Atwell. “It was better safe than sorry.”
The 12-year-old student donated funds he both earned and raised for the school trip to charity.
“I babysat. I raised money when I went out and shovelled sidewalks when they needed it and I did my chores,” he said.
It's not the first time the Innisfail student has shown his generous spirit.
“On my ninth or 10th birthday I donated all my birthday gifts to the Christmas Angels at the Dairy Queen in Innisfail,” he added.
Smith donated a total of $210 to the Feed a Family program through Family Services in Red Deer and he bought $312 worth of gifts and gave them to the Innisfail Christmas Bureau.
The money was given to Family Services and gifts were given to Innisfail town councillor Mark Kemball on Dec. 18.
Smith said he was happy to be able to give to others in need and contribute to making their Christmas a joyful one.
“It's really important (to give to people less fortunate),” said Smith. “As long as you get the chance, I think you should help other people have the same opportunities that you have.”
Zach Smith
"As long as you get the chance, I think you should help other people have the same opportunities that you have."
