The Tidbits of Change Foundation will honor Kamloops youth Cassie McNutt with an award and bursary on February 20 at the Delta Hotel Kamloops for her leadership in a community charity initiative developed with her parents. The foundation annually recognizes three Canadian youth who partner with a parent or mentor on projects demonstrating initiative, leadership, and community impact, offering bursaries from $1,000 to $5,000 to support their education. Hali ScottSmith, co-founder of the foundation, noted that young Canadians often undertake inspiring projects with meaningful community impacts through such collaborations.
McNutt is being recognized for launching and expanding an annual charity initiative that began as a clothing drive connected to a Christmas light display she created with her father. This evolved into Cassie's Charity Drive, an annual fundraiser supporting the Kamloops Hospice Society. Greg Scott, co-founder of the Tidbits of Change Foundation, stated that the bursary selection committee was impressed by McNutt's initiative and commitment, as she identified a community need and, with parental support, turned it into a sustained effort that has grown annually.
Over the past four years, McNutt's fundraising efforts have raised more than $260,000 for hospice services, and her work has been nationally recognized with the King Charles III Coronation Medal, making her one of the youngest recipients in Canada. This achievement underscores the potential of youth-led projects to address local needs and create lasting change, reinforcing the foundation's belief in mentorship-driven collaboration. The Tidbits of Change Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2026 youth bursaries until April 30th, with more information available at https://tidbitsofchange.org.
This news matters as it highlights the importance of supporting youth in community engagement, showcasing how mentorship can amplify impact and foster leadership skills. For readers, it serves as an inspiration for families and communities to collaborate on local initiatives, potentially encouraging similar efforts nationwide. In the non-profit sector, it emphasizes the value of recognizing and funding youth-driven projects, which can lead to innovative solutions and strengthened community bonds. Globally, such initiatives contribute to a culture of volunteerism and social responsibility, demonstrating that young people can play a pivotal role in addressing societal challenges when given the right support and resources.
