By Valerie Posthumus
The Haldimand Press
CALEDONIA—A challenge has been set by 13-year-old Tanika Jacobs of Caledonia who wants to help clean up her hometown.
Tanika walks with her mom, Nicky Davies, almost every day and they often pick up trash along the way. However, Tanika has realized that it is “not enough.”
She has become increasingly concerned about trash along the river especially, “because baby ducklings are being born and you see them tangled up in plastic. It’s hard to help them because the parents are so protective.”
This prompted her to think about how she could “help out to encourage people to pick up trash.”
CALEDONIA—Tanika Jacobs has painted this artwork for a contest asking people to pick up trash to enter.
This understanding led Tanika, who is “really into art,” to create a painting depicting her hometown and to set up a contest. She is asking the community to get out and pick up trash, take a photo of themselves doing it, and post it on the What’s Up Caledonia Facebook page or tag her mom Nicky Davies in a post on Facebook.
“The painting is specifically of Caledonia, so we figured someone who is from the area might want to win it,” said Nicky, adding that the contest is open to anyone however, as they realized some people may just love art or have a past connection to the town.
When word got out about this contest, Cara Haist of Caledonia Zehrs came on board by adding a $100 Zehrs gift certificate to the contest, allowing for two names to be drawn for prizes. As well, Haist is making a personal donation of $100 to the local food bank in honour of Tanika’s efforts.
Of the additional contributions, Tanika said, “It is awesome. I was definitely surprised. I thought it was just going to be a small thing but that definitely helped encourage more people, especially during the pandemic everyone is struggling a little bit, everyone can use an extra $100 to help out.”
Davies stated in her Facebook post announcing the contest, “It shows you, you might think you’re just one person and can’t make a difference, but kindness spreads.”
To other teens who “may be bored in quarantine or looking for a job,” Tanika said picking up garbage is a “small way to give back and help the environment and the community around you. I just think it is a good thing to do and I just want to inspire others to look after the earth.”
Tanika has done other projects in the past as a SickKids Ambassador, raising over $800 for them with her paintings. Tanika has been featured in The Haldimand Press previously as she has fought through five years of health issues, including two double lung transplants. Davies noted, “While she was hospitalized (at SickKids) she had various art gallery showings in her room and so many people at SickKids have her paintings.”
As for the contest, a draw will be made at the end of May from all the names entered on the What’s Up Caledonia Facebook page or by tagging Nicky Davies in a post.
The winners will then be notified.
