Scholarship Essay Entry – Brandi J.

I believe "it takes a village" for each of us. Some require a bigger village than others. I have had amazing support along my journey, and I have tried to help others as much as I can. I have spent most of my life as a volunteer. Throughout kindergarten and elementary school, my class went weekly to the Hardisty Health Centre and read or sang to extended care patients. We celebrated special occasions with them. I remember one grandma who was supposed to be listening to me read. She kept saying, "I want a cigarette!" Because of these experiences at an early age, I learned to accept all different kinds of people, and not to be shy or afraid of them. I have volunteered for the Grande Spirit Foundation in Grande Prairie, the Red Deer Women's Shelter and DTHR Festival of Trees. I have been a children's Sunday school teacher. More recently I have taught basic computer skills to seniors and enjoyed cookies and tea with them.

Two years ago I started volunteering at the Central Alberta Cancer Centre. I help the nurses and oncologists with clinics. I produced the chemo teaching PowerPoint presentation which is used each week to teach new patients about the side effects of chemo, and special instructions and information to help them through their ordeal. Last Halloween I dressed up as a funky nurse and passed out homemade cupcakes and pill bottles filled with candy to the patients. Volunteering at the cancer centre is fun, but it has also been an eye opener. I see very sick patients who are financially destitute because of their illness. Some don't even have families and friends for support. I decided to try to raise money to help these people. I collected 500 recipes from patients, volunteers, visitors and staff and compiled The All Love Cookbook. I designed the cover and inserts myself. I ordered the first 1000 cookbooks, and spent my summer selling them at Wal-Mart, local farmers markets, the hospital, cancer centre, and wherever else I could. I opened an account for the All Love Cookbook at my community Credit Union in Deer Park, and so far I have raised $10,000.00 for the Central Alberta Cancer Centre Patient Financial Assistance Program! I am blessed to have the opportunity to make some people's lives a little easier.

I will be launching a registered, non profit organization when I am finished school. I know that I will be able to pull it off successfully because of my experience with the All Love Cookbook, and my great enthusiasm. When I get my diploma from Digital Graphic Communications at S.A.I.T., I will be able to produce professional promotional products which will be an advantage for my organization. There are endless opportunities to be a caring citizen in someone's village. I may not be able to change the whole world, but I can make it a better place for the people in my life.