High school can be a busy time for teenagers, but one Grade 12 student at Western Canada High School wanted to make a difference in her community. Wynne Leong, 17, founded The Love Cycle Charity after speaking with peers who shared her desire to volunteer and give back. The charity now has more than 25 members aged 12 to 18 from five Calgary schools, including students in different grades. “I’ve always thought it was necessary to explore the ideas implied by community service, but also, I wanted a way for me and all my peers to volunteer and give back to the community,” Leong said. “We now have people from all over — different grades, different ages — so I think for us it’s just any youth who wants to volunteer, we’re giving that opportunity to them.” Leong says the name Love Cycle reflects the charity’s work with organizations serving different generations, including the Children’s Cottage Society and Trico LivingWell Retirement Community. She says the students act as a link between the young and old, completing a cycle of caring and love. “It makes me feel fulfilled and I feel like I’m a part of something bigger than myself,” Leong said. “I think that knowing that I was able to provide these opportunities for other people makes me happy to know that I’m making a difference.” Kate Rosling, recreation and volunteer co-ordinator at Trico LivingWell, says many residents enjoy visits from the students a few times a month. “We have them involved in a lot of the recreation programs that we offer,” she said. “Whether that’s art programs or decorating the community, even some animal therapy sometimes, no matter what they volunteer for, they’re always excited and eager and so sweet.” Rosling says the students bring enthusiasm to the retirement community and are willing to take on a range of activities. “Having this passionate group of people come and volunteer with our residents, it kind of levels up every recreation program that we have,” she said. “Having that intergenerational connection and learning from each other and they just bring a contagious energy, they’re a lot of fun.” Angelina Liu, 17, a founding member of the charity, says students can volunteer weekly or every other week, spending up to three hours at a time at Trico. “The main point is just to kind of keep the seniors company and just to kind of be there, be a person they can talk to,” she said. “Because really, like companionship is also a really big part of what we do and it actually is like the little consistent actions that build up to have the biggest impacts.” Melissa Wang, 17, another founding member, says volunteering is important to her and she makes time for it despite her busy schedule. “I think giving back to the community is a lifelong thing for sure, this is really an amazing beginning,” she said. “I’m definitely fulfilled, it’s amazing to see the actual effects and all of our hard work behind the scenes to come into fruition when we volunteer.” The students plan to attend different universities after graduation. They hope younger members will continue running the charity in Calgary while they establish new chapters in the cities where they pursue post-secondary education.
