Canadian fourth grader fundraises for Habitat

For the second year in a row, fourth grader Ryan Mackay of Prince Edward Island, Canada, has donated his birthday money to Habitat for Humanity Prince Edward Island. Ryan and his mom share why they support Habitat.

Ryan Mackay

Q: Ryan, we all think that’s great what you’ve been doing. This is the second year, is that right, that you donated your birthday money?

A: Yes.

Q: Can you tell us what got you to do that? What made you think of it?

A: I just don’t think it’s fair that not everybody has a home.

Q: We certainly think so, too. Why did you choose Habitat to help?

A: I know some guys, and we did a picnic table build for Habitat. We made picnic tables, and they sold them at the ReStore. So I knew about it from that.

Q: Where does your money go, when you give it to Habitat — what do you think it does?

A: I think it helps people to live in better places, better houses.

Liz Mackay

Ryan has four brothers and sisters, and on birthdays we tell them, “If you receive gifts, you have to give away the same amount of things, to make room.” Because we have lots of stuff.

That first year, he didn’t want to, because he loved what he had already, so he decided to raise money for Habitat instead. So that’s how it started.

At the dinner table, we try to remember to ask ourselves three questions: “What was the best part of your day? What was the worst part of your day? Who did you help today?”

So we’ve tried to instill in them the idea that we should all help each other, that’s just part of what we do. They get that at their church, but they get it at home, too, and we hope it stays with them.

Inspired by Ryan’s generosity? Join him and help build houses and hope today!