Photo Supplied by Tylynn Homingshead

By Tanner Smith

Fundraiser

Sexsmith teen raises over $24,000 for Alberta Stollery Children’s Hospital

Dec 1, 2022 | 12:58 PM

A Sexsmith Secondary School Senior has raised over $24,000 for the Alberta Stollery Children’s Hospital.

Grade 12 Student Tylynn Hollingshead says her passion for fundraising started very early on in her life;”I was born with a syndrome that my liver didn’t function normally and it was called Crigler-Najjar but it resulted in me getting a liver transplant, and I think I was two and bit I went on the list and I received my liver November 19 of 2008.”

Hollingshead says since then she knows how kids and families feel while laying in a hospital bed at the Stollery, it’s why she’s been holding fundraisers for the Stollery since she was 12.

“When is was in Grade 6, I started doing middle school fundraisers where you duct tape teachers to a wall, where you buy a piece of duct tape, and then during Covid I did count candy jars and all this kind of stuff and then last year I had the idea to maybe do a jackpot.”

This year Hollingshead did host a jackpot event with barrel racing, pole bending, as well as a silent auction and dinner.

Meaningful Mementos

Remembering Someone You've Lost at Christmas

Dec 03, 2024

Seasonal Sorrow

How Do You Get Through The Holidays When You're Grieving?

Nov 01, 2024

Upcoming Events at Oliver's

Grief & Loss and Estate Planning Seminars

Oct 02, 2024

Hollingshead says she believes they had over 200 people come and donate money to the cause, including people from all of the communities she’s involved in; including teachers, neighbours and even people she’s met through rodeo, having a cowgirl come up from Drayton Valley to partake.

Hollingshead would like to thank everyone who donated money or participated in the jackpot and looks forward to raising more money again, next year.

“I didn’t have that moment until it got going and all these people started showing up and i was like like ‘oh my god’ i brought all these people together, like ‘what the heck’ it was kind of crazy really, I enjoy giving back, I dont want to take anything for granted Im really thankful for what I have and I’m able to do what i can do, without the stollery I’d still belaying in a bed.”

Hollingshead says the support was crazy, having people come from all walks of her life and even complete strangers.