WESTLOCK — Masen Scarnati has one goal: build a homeless shelter in Westlock.
What he’s proposing resonated with the Government of Alberta who made Masen a Northern Lights Volunteer recipient Nov. 26. He’s part of a select group of “everyday heroes,” Albertans who embellish their communities and drive them in unique directions.
Technically, Masen’s overall goal is to eradicate homelessness, but he’s only nine years old and decided to start with what he could do. He put together ‘blessing bags’ with all sorts of things a person without shelter might need — toothbrushes, water, soap, deodorant — and took them to the Hope Mission in Edmonton.
We spoke on the phone last week, when Masen, in characteristic fashion, mostly gave one-word answers: he’s been doing “good,” “yeah,” he’s happy about the award. Mom Tiffany says it’s not unusual, and I knew that from the other couple of times I’ve spoken with Masen. He had no time to spare on praise.
Tiffany took the helm there and said it’s significant to receive incentive from that level of government.
“When I got that e-mail, I was floored. I couldn’t believe that he was actually chosen for something like that. It’s huge to us, especially to Masen because he’s just like ‘I’m helping people, it’s not a big deal.’ And that’s his thing, it’s not a big deal, I just want to help people.”
But, she says, “the recognition isn’t what he’s after. He’s after the bigger picture.”
Ultimately, it’s still back to the Day 1 plan to get that shelter built here. Town of Westlock mayor Ralph Leriger liked the idea of more affordable housing. He and Masen spent some time together last May, after Masen wrote him a letter detailing his plans to fix the problem that first struck him at West Edmonton Mall earlier that February.
“That’s what (Masen) wants to see. He wants to make sure that if there are homeless in our town, that they are well taken care of. And he wants to be the one to make that happen. And at nine years old, that’s kind of nice,” Tiffany said.
“He makes me so proud with how he does it. He can be a regular little boy who plays video games and goes to school, but on the other hand he’s taking on a big feat of helping the homeless. It’s just really cool.”
Masen is still making blessing bags but can’t hand them out because of COVID-19. He’s planning on some things for the Hope Resource Centre and wants to put scarves around Westlock for those who need them.
We promised Masen we’d be there at the grand opening of Westlock’s first homeless shelter when he turns 15. No pressure, mayor Leriger.
