Glen Vienneau
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 20/00) - Nadia Wilson is one seven-year-old Yellowknifer with a big heart.

Wilson's generosity caught the attention of the Stanton Regional Hospital staff when she raised $180 for the hospital at her birthday party.

"We were all really pleased, to see that someone such a young age would be thinking about people other than themselves," said Sue Glowach, executive director for the Stanton Regional Hospital Foundation.

The hospital will use the money for the hospital's pediatric and obstetrics wards.

Highly unusual for a seven-year-old to raise money to give away, Nadia admits all she wanted during her Oct. 4 birthday was a party and gifts from her parents, Doug and Anu Wilson of Yellowknife.

A party it was, but since she loved swimming and she expected to have too many children for a home party, the family booked the pool.

"I wanted to go to the swimming pool, yes. I wanted to get presents, yes. But, instead Mom told me about this donation, so I thought about money and the hospital," said Nadia.

"She wanted everybody at her birthday party, that's what her main concern was," said her mother.

As a result, children were encouraged to bring whatever they could in donations, not exceeding $10.

The donation drive pleased Nadia's mother as she believed it would have been overwhelming for a child of Nadia's age to receive gifts from 30 children.

It was Nadia's love for babies that interested her in giving the money to help children at the hospital.

"Eventually they're sick or their heart hurts, or something's wrong with them.

"The point that we were trying to help her learn was, you give of yourself without being recognized for it," said Anu.

"Then they'll grow up to be part of the community and be productive in the community."

Glowach agrees that this experience is one everyone - especially young people - can learn from.

"It's really important that young people get involved and learn about giving early in their life and this is a very fine example."