Seven-year-old Lathaniel Rivoire knows a lot about compassion.
Since the time he was born his mom, Raelle, said the little boy has been plagued with medical problems that have meant regular hospital visits and four major surgeries.
Through that experience, Raelle said Lathaniel has received an outpouring of support from family, friends and hospital staff. Now he is paying that kindness back in support for families who have been displaced by the wildfire that has left tens of thousands homeless in Fort McMurray.
When Raelle saw the devastation the fires caused in the Northern Alberta city on the news she said her son was extremely concerned for the people who were suffering.
Upon learning some of those families were staying in Cochrane, Lathaniel’s heart went out to them and he immediately began suggesting ideas to help.
“He decided he wanted to give a bunch of the kids toys. He was very adamant about giving one a new bike,” said Raelle, adding her son almost cleaned out the toy box.
Later in the week, Lathaniel came home from school after his class made Mother’s Day cards.
“He came home all upset and said, ‘How are these moms going to have a Mother’s Day if they have no home,’” recalled Raelle. He gets really emotional about it, to the point he tears up.”
Lathaniel’s motivation to help was pretty simple,
“I wanted to do something for my mom and the other moms, so they would be happy,” he said.
What started as a simple plan to give flowers to the displaced mothers grew into a community-wide effort to deliver gift baskets chockfull of goodies – from massages and makeovers to coffee mugs and bottles of wine.
“Any kind of small company in town you can think of donated stuff,” said Raelle.
Companies such as Canadian Tire and Bow Ridge Liquor Store offered discounts to offset the price of the baskets and Raelle’s company, Art Shak, covered the rest of the costs.
In all, the Rivoires delivered 17 baskets on Mother’s Day and the few left over gift certificates and other items were given to other moms they found out about after the fact.
Raelle is now onto her next campaign. She has made Alberta Strong decals that she is selling for $15 each with all the proceeds going to the Red Cross. To date she has sold 23 decals.
Lathaniel also wants to throw a party for all the Fort McMurray kids staying in Cochrane.
