Periods are a fact of life. But for those in need, access to tampons, pads, cups or menstrual underwear can be challenging.
That’s why one five-year-old girl from Elora was eager to help, making it easier for everyone to access the menstrual products they need.
On behalf of her father Kevin Kempel and his business, BK Firewood Products in Elora, Brooklyn Kempel donated 1,330 individual menstrual items to the Access to Necessities Period Campaign, launched on Feb.1.
“She’s a very sweet little girl. That’s for sure. She likes to help out whenever she can,” said Brooklyn’s mother Katie Kempel.
“She is just five, but she embodies compassion and shows empathy towards others. Whether helping someone after a fall, or helping a friend, or doing crafts for not just one classmate, but every single one of them, she makes sure no one is forgotten.”
Nearly one in four Canadian women has struggled to buy period products for themselves or for their children.
The Access to Necessities Period Campaign brings local communities together to be a part of the solution. Donations help to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and tackle the vulnerability and isolation caused by period poverty.
As a business, BK Firewood Products wants to support the needs of the community and has partnered with Champagne Insurance Company in Waterloo for a second year.
“My husband and Dustin Champagne from Champagne Insurance Company grew up together. They’ve been friends since they were little,” Katie said.
“We chatted and participated last year. This year, we wanted to help out again. Brooklyn was quite eager to help out too. She’s really developed a ‘go big or go home’ attitude.”
Katie says everyone deserves access to essential necessities without sacrificing other basic needs.
“This campaign resonates deeply with us. The movement advocates readily available menstrual hygiene products addressing period poverty and ensuring everyone who menstruates can access the necessities they need and not having to choose to feed their family over their own hygiene,” she said.
“It’s about treating them as essential needs. It’s difficult to work or go to school if you have to think about how am I going to take care of my own hygiene?”
Anyone wanting to donate menstrual products or purchase them for donation, can email Ashley and Dustin Champagne at Champagne Insurance Agency at [email protected]
Brooklyn, a JK student at St. Mary’s Catholic Elementary School in Elora, already believes that a strong community benefits everyone.
“I want to help whenever we can. I want to help everyone feel happy,” Brooklyn said.
“Let’s do our best.”
Katie says her family tries to live by her daughter’s motto too by helping to support their community whenever they can.
“This is her big theme,” Katie said.
“She really does live by ‘I want to help’.
