Over the past three weeks, seven-year-old Jamieson Brett is raising money to comfort those who have not had much during the pandemic: seniors in long-term care homes.
The grade two student at Essex Public School has raised $1,400 so far through his Jamieson's North Star Project, an endeavour he started through his Beaver's group.
The money pays for gift baskets to be delivered at the end of the month to residents at Chartwell Royal Oak Long-Term Care Residence in Kingsville and Iler Lodge in Essex.
"The thing that made me want to do that is my great-grandma is in the nursing home," said Brett referring to his beloved 98-year-old relative. "I can't see her."
He and his mother, Amy, have put together 21 so far, filled with colouring books and markers, crossword puzzles, chocolate, stuffed animals, hand lotion and lip balm. In total, they have enough supplies and money to fill between 60 and 70. If they get more, they will fill more baskets.
"Just different things to keep them busy and the stuffies to help them stay connected and have something to cuddle with," offered Amy Augustine-Brett, his mother. "
Augustine-Brett is taking donations through e-transfer at amybrett84@gmail.com and has set up a Facebook page called "Jamieson's North Star Project" highlighting the project.
"I had helped his sister sell Girl Guide cookie sales, and just put it on Facebook, and she did really, really well, selling cookies," said Augustine-Brett. "So, I thought I'd do the same thing, and all of the sudden, I've got people contacting us left, right and centre -- businesses in Essex and in Windsor wanting to add donations."
She said among the donations are vouchers for hearing tests and chocolate.