Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Once in awhile a young man comes along who redefines human spirit and truly rewrites the scriptures on humanity and giving. Today I wish to inform the Members we have such a marvel who resides in the riding of Range Lake and his name is Mr. Cole Philipp.
It all started a couple of years ago when this student was in Grade 7 in Range Lake North School and he learned about “pay it forward,” which is a movement depicted in books, TV, mainstream and film. In essence, Mr. Speaker, this pay it forward program is a means to change the lives of others by doing good deeds for others and Mr. Philipp rose to the occasion.
His idea to make a difference for kids in orphanages in Mazatlan, Mexico, was a truly inspirational journey that has been showcased in major media sources in Canada and in Mexico. For Mr. Philipp’s humble beginnings in fundraising, his original target of $2,000 soon magically turned into a windfall of over $38,000 being raised.
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In fact, during his last fundraiser, Cole’s Funky Monkey cupcakes were seen all over the back offices of the Legislative Assembly and many of us today are still trying to shed those pounds.
Mr. Philipp had the pleasure of sharing 100 percent of this money this past April with over six orphanages in Mazatlan, Mexico, for such things you and I take for granted such as food, clothing, school supplies, medical supplies, new bunk beds, new computers and new lockers.
Now at the age of 14, Mr. Cole Philipp is a Grade 9 student at Sir John Franklin, is a recent recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal of Honour and is already planning his next adventures. If you spend even the briefest amount of time with this young man, you can easily see his gears turning, his huge smile and his magnetic enthusiasm.
It gives me great pleasure to say we have in the gallery today the wiz-kid from Range Lake and former Page for the Legislative Assembly, Mr. Cole Philipp.
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Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. The honourable Member for Nahendeh, Mr. Menicoche.
