When 10-year-old Aidan Fitterer heard his mom telling his little brother to eat everything on his plate because there are less fortunate kids out there, he couldn’t sleep that night.
“It bugged him,” his mother Miriam said of the conversation three weeks ago. “He said, ‘Mom, I want to do something,’ so I challenged him. I said, ‘OK, how do you want to help?’”
That’s when Fitterer decided to organize a toy drive in support of the Burnaby Christmas Bureau and some Montecito families in need.
“I wanted to do it because people in my own community might not have anything to open this Christmas,” he told the NOW.
He connected with Heather Kimmie, the principal at Montecito Elementary, to see if she would collect toys through the office. Soon after, the Grade 5 student made a presentation to his peers (some 260-plus kids) and wrote a PA announcement, a daily reminder to his classmates to donate.
Closer to home, Fitterer and his family handed out flyers around his neighbourhood, letting people know they’d be coming around on Dec. 10 to collect toys.
The Saturday haul netted 22 toys, bringing the total to 86 after taking into consideration what was collected at the school. There was everything from iPods and magic kits to Barbies and board games.
“We’re so proud of him,” said Miriam. “The need is there and it exists in a neighbourhood where you would otherwise think it looks quite affluent and we’re fine.”
Kimmie agreed.
“I thought what a kind thing to do, to think beyond himself and to the needs of others in our community and beyond. I was very impressed,” she said.
Asked what he wants for Christmas, Fitterer said “I don’t really want much.”
“Maybe Pokémon. That’s about it,” he said.
