Northern Lights recipient – Sherry Cassidy-Oleksyn

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Location: Edmonton, Alberta

Sherry Cassidy-Oleksyn knew some families would be struggling with physical distancing and the costs of purchasing small Easter gifts for children due to COVID-19. With friends and family, Sherry started fundraising to put a few baskets together to give to families in need. She posted a note about her baskets on the YEG Community Response to COVID-19 Facebook group, and while there was strong uptake on the offer of baskets, Sherry was also overwhelmed by offers of money, items, supplies, and support for delivery.

By April 4, they had raised over $2,150 from community members. Several companies donated items for every basket, and Good Fellows Pub allowed the group of volunteers to use its space to assemble the baskets at a safe social distance. They also started to put together food hampers for Easter dinners. On April 11, Sherry and her fellow volunteers delivered over 370 Easter baskets and more than 80 food hampers to 165 families in Edmonton.