Shaleigh Spence wants to make a positive difference in the world, and she’s hoping Qualicum Beach residents will help her do it.
The Grade 12 student at Kwalikum Secondary School is organizing a special fundraising event to raise money for a village in Kenya.
The idea, she said, is to raise $1,000, which will be sent to a village in the African nation through the charitable group, Free the Children.
The money, she added, will be used in the charity’s Adopt a Village program, which will then use it to provide health care, education and a well for drinking water.
The fundraiser, entitled Kwalikum Kids and Community for Kenya, will feature snacks, a silent auction and a show of the finest talent of Kwalikum Secondary students.
Although she said she is not sure which Kenyan village will be the recipient of the funds raised, Spence said she plans to travel there next year to see how the funds are being spent.
She said local businesses have been generous in their donations to the silent auction, but she would welcome any other donations that come in.
She is joined in her project by pal Shaleena Hemingway, who has proven invaluable in helping to organize the event.
“I got involved because I know Shaleigh sometimes bites off more than she can chew and I wanted to give her a hand,” she said.
The fundraiser will kick off at 7 p.m. on August 3 at the Qualicum Beach Community Hall.