Don't be alarmed when you walk into SaveOn Foods May 6 and 7 and see pre-school-aged "doctors" giving injections. They're not child geniuses, they're learning the art of volunteerism early.
Local preschoolers are dressing as doctors and giving pretend shots at a mock clinic in 撸奶社区to fundraise for B.C. Children's Hospital.
Wee Care Clinic was founded in 2005 by local resident Pam Potts, and her young "staff" have been donating money every year since the group's inauguration.
"We set it up like a fake clinic and 'patients' can come in for a pretend shot and then a Band-Aid where they get their needle," said Potts. "They can come in and talk to the kids and hopefully they donate and then we give them a sucker."
As a mother and childcare worker for 25 years, she is an avid supporter of B.C. Children's Hospital. She owns Rise and Play Daycare and has lived in 撸奶社区her whole life.
"A parent should never outlive their child," said Potts. "It's always been one of my dreams to help children who really need it."
This year, the preschoolers have been practicing their medical skills with their extremely patient guinea pig, Potts's daughter Chelsea Potts.
"She is sick like the other kids," said four-year-old Carter Weys as he gave Chelsea her umpteenth pretend needle. "The money is the help make people who are sick feel better."
Potts has explained to her students that having child size medical equipment is very important. Every time they play doctor she shows them a photo of a young girl wrapped in a bandage designed for an adult.
"Who are we giving the money to?" she asks.
"The kids!" reply the children in unison.
In 2007 they raised $2,500 and it has been growing steadily since then, said Potts.
"It is a non-profit organization that provides and implements special events by fundraising to help the sickest and most fragile children in B.C.," said Potts.
"When it comes to illness with someone you know and love, especially a child or young adult, there is nothing more on your mind."
This year Potts hopes to take Squamish's generous contributions to the next level. If enough donations are collected the Wee Care Clinic will be a part of B.C. Children's Hospital's televised Children's Miracle Weekend and some of the preschoolers would be invited to attend and present the check.
"Our goal is to raise $5,000," she said.
Potts has aspirations of expanding Wee Care Clinic to all the elementary schools in the district and even generating some friendly competition between them. She says they could "challenge each other and think of fun new ways of earning money for the B.C. Children's Hospital through the Wee Care Clinic."
She hopes that if this becomes an ongoing type of competition with different schools taking part at different times throughout the year, then it could be more of a continuous donation.
The Wee Care Clinic will be held at the Save-on-Foods in 撸奶社区from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Donations can be made onsite or by mailing it to 41356 Tantalus Rd 撸奶社区BC V8B 0P6 in check form made out to 'B.C. Children's Hospital.'
