CORNWALL, Ontario – Isabelle Paquette, 9, has raised over $7,000 for various charitable organizations to date — something that many individuals do not achieve in a lifetime.
Her philanthropy has not gone unnoticed. Isabelle discovered yesterday that she will receive a Governor General’s Sovereign Medal for Volunteers on November 14. The medal will be presented to her at a private breakfast in Ottawa before a We Day event at the Canadian Tire Centre.
Kim Secord-Paquette, Isabelle’s mother, said that her Physical Education teacher at Longue Sault Public School, Ian Callan, worked on a nomination application for her for about a year, enticing others to write letters of support along the way.
“I feel proud,” said Kim. “I get goose bumps when I think about everything she does for others.”
Isabelle’s biggest fundraising venture to date includes her efforts for the Children’s Treatment Centre (CTC).
“Three years ago, it started as a challenge at her school,” said Kim. “The top fundraiser could win a prize. She raised $1,000. The following year, without the idea of an award or a prize or anything, she decided on her own that she wanted to raise more money than she had before.”
For the last two years, Isabelle has taken the initiative to bake and sell cupcakes for the cause, inspired by her cousin who has a passion for baking. Last year, she raised over $4,000 from cupcake sales alone.
“I thought (my cousin) was a really good cook, people like cupcakes, maybe I could raise more money for it,” said Isabelle.
According to Kim, Isabelle’s other volunteer work includes but isn’t limited to programs at her school promoting health and wellness, attending a WWII Veteran lunch in Trenton, participating in a TD shoreline clean-up, tree planting, answering the phone during a CHEO Telethon and donating her hair to the Canadian Cancer Society.
“To say that I’m proud, I think is an understatement,” said Kim. “She is so full of love and kindness and has such a giving spirit.”
“I’m proud that I’m getting this award and I’m excited about everything,” said Isabelle.
