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Precocious siblings a philanthropic force

Two Collingwood School siblings have channelled their love of music and turned into a philanthropic force as the organizers of a charity fundraiser for cancer research at the Kay Meek Centre.
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Two Collingwood School siblings have channelled their love of music and turned into a philanthropic force as the organizers of a charity fundraiser for cancer research at the Kay Meek Centre.

West Vancouver sisters Emily and Gabrielle Bourgault are putting on Pink for Christmas, a youth Christmas variety show with altruistic residuals aplenty. While the concert’s primary focus is to raise funds for pediatric cancer research, it’s also a chance for novice entertainers to become more comfortable in the spotlight.

“We really wanted to start this concert to promote the idea of kids helping kids,” says Emily, explaining how she and Gabrielle, grade 7 and 9 students respectively, came up with the concert idea on their summer break.

Philanthropy is not an unfamiliar concept for Emily, who has busked in bustling retail districts, including Lonsdale Quay, playing her violin to raise money for pediatric cancer research.

A lifelong violin player – Emily picked up the alluring instrument when she was four years old – she went to a concert and noticed a girl in the audience with cancer and how happy she appeared.

Emily thought it was special to see the girl appreciate some joy in life despite the health hurdles she faced. They were two kindred spirits who shared a love of violin music. That experience sparked Emily’s interest to help others.

So, Emily got in touch with Team Finn. The North Vancouver volunteer organization has been raising awareness and funds for cutting-edge pediatric cancer research, following the passing of their beloved namesake Finn Sullivan from a rare form of cancer at the age of three.

Emily has donated $3,000 from busking to the Team Finn Foundation, which overall has raised more than $2 million since 2009.

The Finn family has been invited to the Dec. 16 Kay Meek charity concert — with proceeds benefiting the foundation — that the Bourgault sisters have been planning for the past five months.

“It’s been fun,” says Emily of her event-planning foray, and at the 500-seat Kay Meek theatre, no less.

The entertainment lineup, performing classic Christmas numbers such as songs from The Nutcracker, includes the North Shore Celtic Ensemble, Pro Arté Centre, Collingwood School’s senior choir and special guest performances.

Emily said she is grateful for the positive response from community members who have lent a helping hand for the Pink for Christmas event. The sisters canvassed local businesses, including Cypress Mountain and Salmon House on the Hill restaurant, looking for silent auction donation.

“They really wanted to help and thought it was a great cause. They really liked that kids were organizing it,” says Emily of the businesses’ response.

As for where her compassion comes from, Emily says she’s well aware of the important things her family has.

“We know we are fortunate and we want to give back to other people,” says Emily, who has plans to become a neurosurgeon someday.

For more information on Pink for Christmas and tickets to the concert, visit fateforchildren.weebly.com and kaymeekcentre.com.