When Alaina learned that girls in Afghanistan do not go to school, she started raising money for teachers’ salaries and soon inspired a group of girls that eventually became the first chapter of Little Women for Little Women in Afghanistan, an affiliate of Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan. There are now 10 Little Women chapters in Canada. Alaina continues to present to schools, youth groups and community clubs.

Dallas, who was diagnosed with leukemia at age six, founded the Kids Curing Kids Foundation in 2004. The foundation has raised thousands of dollars by auctioning off paintings created by young cancer patients. The foundation’s board, made up of six kids, decides which children’s cancer charity will benefit from their hard work. The live auction has turned into an annual event now going into its fifth year.

Dion founded The Gateway, a Salvation Army shelter for men over 18 years of age, because he recognized the need to create work for people who have been out of the workforce. They need opportunities to be retrained in a setting that understands their issues, particularly homelessness. Dion has helped build a shelter with a good reputation among people living on the street and the surrounding neighbourhood.

While working as a social worker in the oncology department at a community hospital, Teresa saw the need for a local palliative care residence. She mobilized community leaders, politicians, businesses and citizens to raise money to build and operate the nine-bed West Island Palliative Care Residence. With no formal fund-raising training, she has successfully accessed the necessary resources to allow patients to die with dignity and end-of-life comforts.

Thanks to the leadership of Michele, the activities of Ecole St. Patrick High School’s SADD (Students Against Drunk Driving) chapter have saved countless lives in Yellowknife. The community is tremendously supportive of SADD and most events offer SADD’s drive-home program. Michele has been the staff advisor for this group since she started the SADD chapter in 1994. Each year the chapter has many active student members as well as participation from other staff.

Michele wanted her students in her small town to dream and act big, so she created the MAD (Make a Difference) Club with the motto DAM MAD (Don’t Always Moan, Make a Difference). Over the past three years, students and community members have participated in educational activities to help them understand the hardships facing people in developing countries and raised money for overseas charities.