'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
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.