Northern Lights recipient – Masen Scarnati

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Location: Westlock, Alberta

Masen Scarnati is a young activist from Westlock. After witnessing a man without shoes outside of West Edmonton Mall in February 2019, Masen decided that he wanted to do something to help people experiencing homelessness.

He spent his summer raising money by collecting bottles to fill one hundred ‘blessing bags’ of essential items that he delivered to Hope Mission in Edmonton. He has also petitioned Westlock Town Council to consider opening a homeless shelter when the temperature dipped below minus 40 degrees Celsius.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, he has been distributing masks and comfort headbands to first responders, medical staff, frontline workers, seniors, people experiencing homelessness and anyone else who needs them. Comfort headbands make wearing a mask more comfortable as it stops the elastic band from rubbing against one’s ears.

According to his nominator, “Masen is a great kid with a huge heart. He is always looking for ways to make our community better. At this age, his knowledge of community supports and needs is incredible!”