Twin sisters from Guelph have a shared passion for giving back to the community.
Amber and Kaylyn Proudfoot, 19, have spent almost a decade raising over $30,000 to support various charities.
Recently, the two donated a cheque for $318 to the St. Joseph’s Health Centre Foundation for the Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) program, but it’s only one of many charities they’ve helped this year.
In 2020, the sisters donated $2,250 to National Service Dogs, $345 to the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides and $370 to the Guelph Food Bank. They also made donations to the Rotary Club of Guelph, Sparkles in the Park and the Word Wildlife Foundation to help with the Australian bush fires.
The sisters say they have a passion for helping others and helping local organizations that are supporting their community.
“We like fundraising for charities because there is a very large need, and me and my sister want to cover some of that need,” says Amber via email. “It bothers us not to be helpful.”
For these two, some of these causes hold a special place within their heart.
Diagnosed with autism and anxiety, Amber and Kaylyn have continued to give back to organizations that helped them when they were younger. One of these organizations is National Service Dogs which provided them with a service dog named Vargo.
"We both like raising money for these charities because I feel bad for other people in the world and in our community who don't have the same opportunities and help that me and my sister had," explains Kaylyn in the email.
Their philanthropy began in Grade 5, when the two sisters collected food donations for Trick or Eat to support the Guelph Food Bank.
At 13 they attended a WE Day charity event where they became more interested in giving back. With the WE charity, they raised money for Free the Children. In 2016, they started fundraising for Bracelet of Hope, one of their favourite charities.
"WE Day and Dr. Zajdlik (Dr. Anne-Marie Zajdlik from Bracelet of Hope) also inspired us both to make a change in the world, and explained to us what kind of struggles other kids in developing countries have." says Kaylyn.
For Bracelets of Hope, they started going door-to-door to raise money and selling bracelets, along with collecting items like pop tabs, scrap metal, scrap keys and empties. In the end they managed to raise between $2,000 to $3,000 for the organization.
“They’re pretty ingenious with what they come up with,” says their mother, Carrie Proudfoot, about how her daughters collect donations, “Every nickel counts.”
Since then, the two also decided to no longer accept Christmas presents, asking families to help them donate to various causes.
“Kindness can be contagious.” says Amber, “Start with one simple thing, swapping out a Christmas gift for a donation to a third world country.”
Next year, the sisters are planning to raise more money for the Rotary Club of Guelph, Guelph Food Bank, National Service Dogs and the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides. They also want to support additional charities, like Kerry’s Place, Kids Ability and World Vision Canada.
Soon, they will begin collecting money to support the Guelph Black Heritage Society and hope to raise $500 for them by the spring of 2021.
Carrie says her daughters often just pick a charity and run with it, and she is amazed with their tenacity to support these organizations once they decide to help.
“I’m glad that they’re good citizens and that’s important to me.”
