Emma Hollanti loves animals.
What six-year-old doesn’t?
But how many six-year-olds are blessed with the gift of philanthropy?
On Friday, Emma showed she had a heart of gold, turning over $142 she made making and selling magic loom bracelets to the Thunder Bay and District Humane Society.
“I wanted to make money for charities,” she said. “And I like animals.”
A year ago she had her hair cut off to help raise money for cancer, and since then has created Project Emma as a way to raise money for other charitable organizations.
The hardest part this time around?
“Maybe getting too many orders,” she said.
Her father, Ray Hollanti, said he’s proud to see his child give back to the community. It was all her idea, he added.
“She came up with it herself,” he said.
“She’s got a giant heart and wants to give.”
Melanie Blanchette, the executive director at the Humane Society, said she’s seen youngsters collect money to donate before, but never someone so young.
“It’s always refreshing to see. And it’s wonderful to see that our message and our organization has reached out to so many, especially children.”
The Humane Society relies mainly on donations and volunteer hours to stay afloat, although adoption fees also contribute to the bottom line.
The hard work Emma put in made her contribution that much more special.
“It’s definitely a soft spot of hers,” she said.
The Rosslyn Road shelter, at present, houses about 24 dogs and close to 100 cats.
For more on Emma’s fundraising efforts, visit www.projectemma.ca.
