A Cochrane teenager did something special last month to recognize the community’s first responders.
“I wanted to bake them cakes,” 17-year-old Megan White said with a laugh.
She made the decision after receiving $150 through a Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) initiative, called Make 150 Count.
“It’s a really thankless job and I think they do a lot for our community,” the Bow Valley student said.
She took the homemade approach to give the gifts a personal touch, as opposed to just taking the money and buying cakes or gift cards.
“I thought baking would have more of an impact,” White said.
Proud dad, Tim White, said by his daughter taking the money and buying the ingredients, Megan was able to stretch the money and bake enough cakes to drop off two at each location with money leftover for a couple $5 gift cards for coffee.
“She made six cakes in total, three chocolate cakes and three lemon cakes,” Tim explained.
“She wanted to say thanks – (first responders) go out there and don’t get a lot of thanks.”
The lucky recipients of the teen’s cakes included staff at the Cochrane RCMP detachment, staff at the urgent care centre, and staff at the protective services building, which includes fire services.
“She’s always been one for making stuff. She likes making cakes and macaroons. She does a good job at family birthdays – we are quite spoiled,” Tim said with a laugh.
“I’m really proud she chose to honour our protective services like this. I think it shows she is clear thinking and it gave me a good feeling.”
Graduating this year, Megan is planning to step out of the kitchen for her post-secondary career path and will pursue a science degree through the University of British Columbia, but said she will likely continue baking on the side.
“It was an amazing (initiative) – giving youth an opportunity to make a difference now. It was an awesome program to be a part of,” Megan said.
More than 1,000 youth (under 25) across Canada received $150 in grant money as a chance to “do good” in their community in their own unique way to “Make 150 Count.”
