Avery’s wish
Shannon LeClair – Times Reporter
Many children want to do something to help others after watching a family member suffer from an illness but may not make it far. For seven-year-old Avery Aleman though, her thought of helping out others has surpassed the expectations of her parents.
Her grandmother, who passed away in November, had been diagnosed with cancer, and after chemo took her hair, she began wearing wigs.
“She saw what a difference it made for her grandma and Avery just in her own little wisdom said is there a way I can help? Do kids need hair? We said yes and she said she wanted to donate her hair because she was blessed with lots of hair,” said Christa, Avery’s mother.
So little Avery continued to grow her hair and when it reached 10 inches she went to Bangles to get her hair cut and donated it to Locks of Love.
“She is planning to grow her hair out and do it again,” said Christa. Her sister Saige is also growing her hair, so she can donate it as well.
The Calgary Stampede Queen decided to grant a wish to a little girl who wanted to be a cowgirl for the day, a little girl named Ava, and when Avery and Saige saw it, both of the girls wanted to do something to help sick kids.
“I contacted the Children’s Wish Foundation and they were phenomenal with getting us going and setting up an online link,” said Christia. The family also set up a Facebook page called Avery’s Wish, and they have heard from people who have received wigs, and wishes from around the community.
“It’s been amazing how huge it grew and how many people it has touched.”
For the month of June, Sacred Heart Academy is donating all the proceeds from their popsicle, chip and pop sales.
“We had an initial goal of $500, and as of May we were at $3,020. I’m sure we’ll be at more by the end of the month,” said Christa.
The family plans to keep collecting donations for the Children’s Wish as long as people want them to.