MELVILLE — A Grade 5 student is turning her newly learned crafting skills into a powerful show of support for RCMP officers, raising thousands of dollars through the sale of handmade bracelets.
Hadley Polk began making beaded bracelets and suncatchers after a recent incident that left two Melville RCMP officers injured.
"After the incident happened, my sister and I were chatting and, since we're very close with one of the officers, I thought that I could make bracelets and sell them for the good," Hadley said.
Using glass beads and elastic string, Hadley taught herself how to make the bracelets and began accepting donations in exchange for them. What started as a simple fundraising effort has grown well beyond the family's expectations.
As of this week, Hadley has raised approximately $9,500, a total that has climbed rapidly in recent days.
"I did not know that it would get this big, though," said her mother, Lacey Polk. "We're all so proud of her."
Polk said her daughter is naturally creative and is always painting, drawing or working on craft projects, so the idea of making bracelets was not surprising.
"When she came to me, I was like, 'Oh sure,'" Polk said. "But I never imagined it would take off like this."
The family has already delivered a portion of the proceeds to the officers and plans to make another donation soon as fundraising continues.
"We gave some of the money to the officers the other night," Polk said. "Since then, she's gone over $8,000 and now she's getting closer to $10,000. We're going to have to make another visit to them in a week or so and give them the rest."
Although Hadley has never organized a fundraiser before, she is taking an active role in managing the project, counting donations and keeping track of bracelet production herself.
Her favourite school subject is math, a skill she said comes in handy when tallying funds and counting beads for each bracelet.
The young fundraiser covers the cost of materials from her own pocket money and accepts donations of any amount rather than charging a fixed price.
The experience has even influenced Hadley’s future ambitions, and she says she’s now considering a career with the RCMP.
Fundraising efforts are continuing, with all proceeds going toward supporting the RCMP officers. Buyers can find her at community sales and events where she is invited to sell her creations or by contacting the family directly at 306-728-7654.
