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Driving home from a shopping trip one winter’s day, Bethany looked out the window and spotted someone on the street asking for help. Bethany was just 5 years old, but she knew she could help. Her first thought was that she wanted to crack open her piggy bank and give all her money away. But Bethany soon realised she could make a bigger difference by giving up time instead of money.
When she got home that evening, she decided to make goodie bags to donate to homeless people. She wanted the bags to be called ‘Bethany’s Happy Bags,’ hoping they would bring a smile to those who received them. Bethany and her mother set up a Facebook page called ‘Bethany’s Happy Bags for the Homeless.’ The page told people what donations they needed and where to drop donations off. It also had a link to an Amazon Wish List.
Every day, stacks of Amazon boxes and donations were delivered on their porch. One day, they received 85 Amazon packages! Bethany and her mother bagged the items and put a little handwritten note and drawing into the bags. They also worked with a centre for autism, inspiring other children to help bag up the donations. Once bagged, Bethany and her mother drove the bags to homeless charities and shelters.
In 2021, Bethany and her mother gave out 1,830 Happy Bags. They have also received messages from people all over the world asking how they can help and what they can do to accomplish the same thing. Bethany’s mother and change-making partner says, ‘No matter who you are, no matter what you have or don’t have, you’re always able to help other people.’
