Philip Rushton
Whitecourt Star Reporter
A grinning Asher Melnychuk answers the door.
In June, he decided to collect donations at his family's door to help children in Slave Lake, without knowing which people needed it.
“If I was someone who lost their home, I wouldn't be happy if nobody helped,” said Asher.
His mother, Stacy Crossland showed him YouTubes of the devastating fires. When she told him RMCP members had lost their houses helping people leave, Asher knew right away where his donations would go.
“The police are really nice and they protect the city from bad guys,” Asher said.
For three weeks, Asher asked everyone he knew and wrote a letter for his teacher to hand out around school.
“He came up with the idea to write a letter,” said his mother showing Asher's neatly hand-printed request. “It was very much all him, I just drove him around.”
Through Crossland's Facebook account, Asher asked his grandparents, uncles and aunts, and friends who all donated generously.
“It was hard when I had to wait for people to decide to give money,” said Asher, “but some friends came to the house.”
Helping his Mom count donations every day, Asher kept asking everyone who visited the house and around the community.
“We're very proud of him,” Crossland said. “He always tries to help when someone is sick.”
When Const. Kurtis Milbrant received the Zip-loc bag full of cash from Asher, he and the other RCMP were completely caught off guard by the gesture.
“I'm impressed someone at such a young age to do such a non-selfish act,” said Milbrandt. “It's amazing.”
After Milbrandt posted a Facebook request for donations, a mutual friend of his reposted the link and Crossland noticed it.
“It's not often that people show appreciation for police officers,” said Milbrandt, “so this came out of nowhere.”
When the fundraiser started on Facebook, RCMP members from across the province gave $2,800 in gift cards, the high school raised $1,400. Asher's contributions alone were $1,300.
“Most of it went to guys who lost homes so they could put clothes in closets,” said Milbrandt. “It was encouraging after seeing on the news around the world with aid for disasters, when this is much closer to home.”
Milbrandt thinks that kind of attitude will help Asher go far in life.
“I hope he keeps that attitude up because he has a bright future ahead,” said Milbrandt.
Asher's eyes lit up when he heard the total of $5,500 had been donated and he said he hopes that people continue to donate.
“Hopefully the city will be built up quick so people can move back in,” said Asher.
With hockey, golf and baseball practices, as well as artwork, at seven years old, Asher keeps busy and already knows what he wants to do.
“I want to work with my dad and be a mechanic,” said Asher, “but my older brother wants to be in the RCMP.”
Asked if he could go the park for a photo, he was out the door immediately.
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