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3 | W aterloo C hronicle | T hursday,M arch 26,2020 w aterloochronicle.ca Crossword & SudokuAnswers YOUR CITY Visit waterloochronicle.ca for more coverage Hana Rauf doesn't do down time much -- she's grown accustomed to spending a lot of it helping others. The 16-year-old student who normally attends Sir John A. Macdonald Second- ary School started her own group last year called Girls for Change Canada that aims to foster fellowship among young females, em- powering them to create change through charitable endeavours. While a planned Moth- er's Day event was aimed at raising money for clean drinking water in third world countries abroad, the coronavirus outbreak threw a wrench in plan- ning. But Rauf isn't about to sit idly while others fall by the wayside. Her COVID-19 Care Package Drive aims to col- lect cleaning, sanitizing and personal care products that will be donated to the Sexu- al Assault Support Centre of Waterloo Region, and oth- er organizations in need. "Obviously we would give it to people who don't have access to it," she said, noting many store shelves are empty, making life chal- lenging for everyone, espe- cially those who rely others for basic needs. Rauf said several of her friends are involved and people can visit her Insta- gram page (@gfccanada) for more information on how to help and get in touch. "This is a very challeng- ing time for many people, and our clients are navigat- ing the current situation as well as experiences of sexu- al and gender-based vio- lence," said TK Pritchard, the sexual assault support centre's public education manager. "Knowing that they can receive basic necessities to stay physically healthy, which they may otherwise not be able to access, is in- credibly important. We are grateful for this tangible demonstration that our community is stepping up to ensure that folks are sup- ported and not alone." Rauf has been saving her paycheques, birthday mon- ey and allowance for initia- tives in the local communi- ty, according to her father Mohammed. "We are very proud as parents that she has chosen to help and give back on a personal level," he said. The need is real, accord- ing to Nicky Carswell, a co- ordinator of the centre's an- ti-human trafficking pro- gram. "Our program is in need of simple food supplies," she said, listing various non- perishable items and, of course, toilet paper -- "I can't buy any right now for folks and this is a problem." Grocery gift cards are al- so good, Carswell said. People need to check be- fore making a donation, be- cause some organizations such as Women's Crisis Ser- vices of Waterloo Region are closed to all visitors and won't accept items at the current time. "As we navigate the im- pact of COVID-19, we are taking increased precau- tions to protect the safety of our clients, staff and larger community," said chief ex- ecutive Jennifer Hutton. "At this time, we can on- ly allow essential visitors into the shelters, which means donation dropoffs are not permitted for the time being. We can still ac- cept online donations and we are very grateful for any support. "Due to the cancellation of so many community events, as well as the uncer- tainty we are all experienc- ing at this time, we do worry about the impact this will have on fundraising as we rely on these funds to main- tain our daily operations," Hutton added. Earlier this week the United Way Waterloo Re- gion Communities an- nounced the COVID-19 Community Response Fund to help with the un- precedented coronavirus outbreak. The United Way pro- vides assistance to numer- ous local social agencies. Those who are already marginalized in our com- munity will be dispropor- tionately impacted, accord- ing to chief executive Joan Fisk. "We want every citizen in Waterloo region and the organizations doing crucial work on the ground to know that we're here to support them." WATERLOO TEEN DOING HER BIT DURING CHALLENGING TIMES Hana Rauf, 16, collects items at the Laurelwood Shopper's Drug Mart for coronavirus care packages that she and her friends will be donating to women's shelters in Waterloo region. Bill Jackson/Torstar BILL JACKSON bjackson@kitchenerpost.ca NEWS DONATIONS BEING ACCEPTED BY CHARITIES AND NOT-FOR-PROFITS FACING AN UNCERTAIN FUTURE FOR FUNDRAISING