Northern Lights recipient – Vada Jade Alton-MacNeil

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Location: Red Deer, Alberta

Shortly after Vada’s fifth birthday, her mother, Mindy, contacted the Golden Circle Seniors Resource Centre in Red Deer. Vada was concerned about the seniors in her community and worried that they would be lonely because of social distancing measures. She wanted to connect with them to brighten their day.

Golden Circle helped connect Vada with seniors who could use a boost. She has Skyped with one of the centre’s members who does not have family, and she also sends little stories with pictures that she draws. These stories and pictures are included in the centre’s weekly email to its 1,500 members. Vada’s stories bring a smile to the centre’s members who are self-isolating at home and are not able to visit their children or grandchildren. When it is safe to welcome visitors to the centre again, Golden Circle staff would like to bring Vada to the centre to introduce her to some of the people she has supported.

According to Vada’s nominator, “What has really touched us is a five-year-old girl thinking about how alone a senior will be if they have to stay in their home or apartment. Vada has a big heart, and she will go a long way in life.”