'One of the best little kids in the world': Southern Alberta First Nation princess starts water fundraiser
They say big hearts come in little packages and that's certainly the case for seven-year-old Zoey Black Plume.
Zoey, the 2019 Kainai Tiny Tot Princess, has been helping the community by raising money to buy water for the homeless.
The idea came when she realized that water fountains were not running due to the pandemic and she was worried about what that meant for the homeless community and wanted to do her part to help.
"Everybody needs to share because sharing is caring," she told CTV News.
"Some people don't have a lot of stuff but it doesn't matter what they have, they just need to get some food and water."
Zoey, along with the help of her sister and her parents, started the fundraiser on June 3.
They had an initial goal of raising $300, but quickly blew that number out of the water.
So far through donations, thanks to Giselle's Facebook post, they've raised over $2,700.00 as of June 13.
Some of those donations came from Fort McMurray, British Columbia and even Staten Island, N.Y.
With that money, Zoey and her family will be able to deliver 54 cases of water for the next seven weeks.
They picked up 54 cases on June 11 from the Great Canadian Wholesale Club, which generously donated an additional 30 cases.
Zoey and her family then went and handed bottles out at Galt Gardens before dropping them off to the Sage Clan, Moses Lake and Standoff.
Mark Brave Rock is the lead for the Sage Clan and says he's so impressed by everything that Zoey does.
"This is not her first time helping us out and it's just remarkable," said Brave Rock.
"She has such a heart to help us out and coming from children, well, the future is better thanks to children like her."
Back in November and December, Zoey organized bagged lunches to hand out to the homeless and has also started planning a clothing drive for her next fundraiser.
Zoey's big sister, 10-year-old Olivia Black Plume, says he couldn't be more proud of everything her sister is doing.
"I'm just really astonished that a kid Zoey's age would be able to think about this stuff and that she would be able to see somebody and know that they're not having a good day or just know that they needed help," said Olivia.
"It's just been a great experience knowing that Zoey's one of the best little kids in the world."
Despite all the attention Zoey is getting, she said she couldn't have done it without her big sister.
"She's helping getting the people support and getting bottles of water and she's helping a lot," she said.
"I love my sister very much and if I didn't have her I'd be upset. I'd be sad."
The girls' parents, Joshua and Giselle Black Plume are immensely proud of both their daughters and everything they've achieved.
"Zoey and Olivia really inspire us, but now, to have these two little girls inspire a country, is just phenomenal."
To everyone who donated, Zoey had one last thing to say before dropping off her mountain of water.
"Thank you so much, because other people really needed it."
Zoey's fundraiser will be continuing until June 25.
To donate, you can visit Giselle Black Plume's Facebook page or contact them at gisellebp12@hotmail.com.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NDP motion regarding Palestinian statehood passes after major Liberal alterations
A motion from the federal New Democrats initially calling on Canada to recognize the 'State of Palestine' passed amid widespread acrimony on Monday, after the Liberals drastically altered its wording to see the government simply work towards that aim as part of a two-state solution.
'He didn't want to die': Family of Calgary man killed in standoff speaks out
Family of a Calgary man killed after a 30-hour standoff with police last week are speaking out, sharing details of the tense and heart-wrenching experience.
Toronto family doctor who called patient's body 'perfect' suspended for 3 months: tribunal
A family doctor in Toronto has been suspended for three months after a disciplinary tribunal found that he failed to follow proper protocols while examining a patient's breasts and made inappropriate comments about her body.
Ohio mom who left toddler alone 10 days when she went on vacation pleads guilty to aggravated murder
An Ohio mother whose 16-month-old daughter died after being left home alone in a playpen for 10 days last summer while she went on vacation was sentenced Monday to life in prison with no chance of parole.
Retired teacher pleads guilty to paying for sex with 15-year-old in Collingwood, Ont.
In a Barrie courtroom on Monday, a retired high school teacher from the Niagara Region pleaded guilty to sexual touching and obtaining sexual services from a 15-year-old boy in Collingwood in 2021.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
5 charged in Calgary kidnappings that targeted women
Calgary police have charged five men in a pair of kidnappings last year that targeted innocent victims.
Demand soars for solar eclipse glasses in Canada. Are they worth buying?
The demand for total solar eclipse glasses used to safely view the rare celestial event has been ramping up as sellers, along with astronomy and eye-care experts in Canada, warn that viewing the eclipse with the naked eye is dangerous.
Canadian commander of volunteer fighter group dies in Ukraine
A Canadian-born commander of the so-called Norman Brigade, a volunteer fighting group in Ukraine, has died.