Abbey Tran was an extraordinary young girl. Beyond her passion for typical childhood pursuits – hockey, baseball, art, rainbows – Abbey was involved in social justice and loved helping others. When she passed away unexpectedly in 2018, her family decided they couldn’t live without her. So the next best thing they could do was create a charity that would help others in ways she surely would have. “We look for anything we can do that continues that kindness and legacy. She had a huge impact on so many people and we want kids to know that they can have that same impact on others. That what they do makes a difference, and even small ideas can really change the world,” says Abbey’s mom and founder of Abbey’s Goal, Krista Lewicki. Hand-drawn rainbows have become common sightings through the COVID-19 pandemic. Abbey, coincidentally, loved rainbows (she asked for a rainbow for her third birthday). As the rainbow movement began to gather steam, her friends started decorating trees and rocks to spread love and joy, and show gratitude for front line workers. In response, Abbey’s family put up a sign – if anybody wanted a DIY rainbow kit to decorate a tree, they would create one for a donation to Abbey’s Goal. Within a few days, they had 75 orders, and by the end of week 1, they had raised $1,500. By the end of the third week, they had given out 1,500 kits and raised $20,000. Abbey’s Goal decided that all money raised would go to The Stop Community Food Centre, which fights poverty in Toronto and has been providing emergency COVID relief.
Date: June 25 2020
Submitted by: Krista L
Location: Etobicoke, ON