An 11-year-old Nova Scotia boy is setting a shining example for others on how to be charitable.
Like a lot of kids his age, Aiden Marchand loves playing hockey and video games. However, when there is snow on the ground, the Lower Sackville boy can be found shoveling his neighbours driveways.
“Compared to last winter…this winter has kind of been easy,” says Aiden.
Clearing driveways isn’t always easy for Aiden’s older neighbours, so he is always quick to dig them out for the low fee of a toonie.
“He comes over any bit of snow, just helps us out,” says neighbor Shirley Baylis. “He just says do you need anything? Do you want anything?”
Everyone knows getting your driveway shoveled for just $2 is a pretty good deal, but what is really impressive is how Aiden is spending his hard earned wages – buying groceries for Feed Nova Scotia.
“It's pretty remarkable for an 11-year-old to have that much thought and that much heart to think of others instead of themselves. So we're pretty proud,” says Aiden’s father Barry Marchand.
Aiden brought $100 of his own money to the grocery store to fill up his cart with goods for the charity. He hopes to bring the same amount again for the next five months.
“I just wanted to help the people that didn't have everything that they wanted,” says Aiden. “It makes me feel good, makes me feel proud.”
Aiden purchased the groceries by saving some of his Christmas money, as well as shoveling during the winter and mowing lawns during the summer. He had a little extra cash to spend, when Superstore offered to match his $100 donation.
In total, Aiden brought 55 kilograms worth of food to Feed Nova Scotia, enough to feed 127 people.
“Honestly, it is always this heart-warming moment when a child walks through the door with their own birthday money or chore money that they have that they want to donate,” says Justine Gelevan, with Feed Nova Scotia.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Matt Woodman
