Joanne McQuarrie, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter | [email protected]
Marco Bulfon continues fundraising efforts that he started in 2017 when his little sister Eliana became ill with pneumonia and was flown to the Stollery Children's Hospital in Edmonton.
And on Sept. 12, Marco received an award from the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation for being the top fundraiser in his age category, ages eight to 11, at the Stollery Superstars Party in Edmonton.
"We are so proud of Marco," said Marco’s mom, Emma Bulfon. "His dedication and commitment is astonishing. He has achieved so much."
The Bulfon family had a first scare when Eliana was two months old, when she became lethargic and stopped eating after contracting a common cold and was taken to the Stollery for care.
A second incident when little Eliana was two years old got Marco, eight years old at the time, in motion.
He said: “I thought, 'Hey, I should donate to there so I can help other people who are like my sister, so they can get better and have a better life, have more fun.'"
He happily reported that today, Eliana is doing very well. “She's healthy,” she said.
To get started, Marco set up a lemonade stand at Becker's Chalet, where his parents, Emma and Emanuele, work. Marco sold many, many cups of lemonade.
That first year he raised a staggering $2,680 for the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation, which funds specialized care at the Stollery Children's Hospital and in communities across northern Alberta, training, and the purchase of equipment and facilities.
Marco carried on with his efforts in 2018. Starting in May, he set up a lemonade stand at Becker's again, and expanded to sell chocolate-covered almonds too.
On July 30, the enterprising young lad added FundScrip to the mix - a free Canadian gift card fundraising program for schools, churches, sports teams and clubs and non-profit groups.
That addition, mom Emma said, was Marco thinking that it would be great for winter time and Christmas. She said it's not a way to get people to donate to him, but to make a contribution through Fundscrip.
That year Marco raised a total of $2,766.25.
There was more diversification in 2019. Marco sold chocolate covered almonds and lemonade every single day at Becker's, his mom said. He also added beef jerky to his fundraising operation.
And in lieu of birthday gifts, Marco asked folks to donate to the Stollery.
That year, a church group staying at Beckers donated a box of CDs - gospel music - to Marco to sell to raise more money for the Stollery.
A whopping $6,375.28 was raised.
Adding more items to sell has a purpose, Marco said.
"Every year I'm upgrading to new ideas, so there's more choice for people,” he said. “That way, if they don't like something, they can get another thing."
The COVID pandemic changed Marco's approach this year. He's using the Fundscrip venue to raise money and limited his requests to family and friends.
"Going out and asking people for money at this time, I don't think, is very nice because this year, with the economy down and people not having work, instead of them feeling like they have to donate something, it's better not to ask," he said. "Also for safety - you have to be physically distancing.”
From 2017 to 2019, Marco raised a grand total of $11, 821.28. So far this year, through Fundscrip, Marco has raised $189.63
Marco said people tell him he’s a good kid, dedicated and committed.
