Masen Scarnati raised enough money to fill 100 bags with basic necessities which he delivered to Edmonton’s homeless at Hope Mission Aug. 17. He was greeted with thankful smiles, as some had recognized him after a similar trip earlier in the summer.
For a seven-year-old boy in Westlock, homelessness is a problem that needs to be addressed, and he is taking it upon himself to make sure that happens in the best way he knows how.
Last May, Masen Scarnati met with Town of Westlock mayor Ralph Leriger after he had written him a letter asking for a homeless shelter in the town, but things didn’t stop there for Masen, who spent his summer collecting bottles to raise funds to fill 100 blessing bags, which he personally delivered to Hope Mission Aug. 17 in Edmonton.
Masen had been thinking about the ways in which he could address the problem since February, when he spotted a homeless man outside of West Edmonton Mall and was shocked that he had no shoes in the cold weather.
Initially, the young activist made up 30 blessing bags containing shampoo and conditioner, bug spray, a toothbrush and toothpaste, a water bottle, socks and soap — basic necessities which he thought were important.
“That’s what people need,” he told his mom, Tiffany Scarnati.
He and his mom spread around about 12 of them here in town and the rest they took to the Hope Mission in Edmonton.
“Mommy, that was so not enough,” was Masen’s conclusion that day, recalled his mom.
The project, and Masen’s concern was amplified after that initial visit. His new goal was now to bring 100 blessing bags to the Hope Mission.
To fundraise, he thought the best way would be taking bottles to the depot for the refunds, and asked for his mom’s help again, to use social media and advertise that he was in need of bottles.
“Some businesses have helped, friends and family, and then just random people I don’t even know. His goal was 100 bags and he reached that goal,” said Tiffany.
This is not a small achievement for a child his age. Masen is relatively shy, as his mom describes him, but determined.
His inhibitions were lifted when he delivered his blessing bags in the city that day. He was handing each one out to the homeless men and women who were already lined up for food at the centre.
“A few people remembered him from the last time he went. He got hugs and kisses on the cheek, he got high-fives,” recalled Tiffany.
While they were there, local organizations were also handing out various things like hot drinks, and mistook Masen and his parents as members of a similar organization.
They also had to explain to members of the Edmonton Police that their efforts were all Masen’s idea.
“I will never forget this for as long as I live. Our last bag, we gave it to somebody, and Masen said, ‘We’re all done.’ Everybody stood up, and everybody cheered. It was the most amazing thing ever, it gives you goose bumps,” said Tiffany.
