Matthew

January 19, 2007

Matthew’s a cellist, a soccer player, a tennis player, and a committed environmentalist who has delivered speeches to hundreds of people on the importance of protecting nature. And he’s raised more than $500 for the Foundation. At the age of 6, he’s already managed to become the Foundation’s youngest member of the E.O. Wilson Society!

This grade one student at Vancouver’s West Point Grey Academy was inspired to protect the environment after studying the rainforests in school. “I saw the rainforests being cut down and I wanted to stop it,” he says.

To raise money for the Foundation, Matthew held a garage sale—which involved selling his favourite red wagon—and he has organized bottle drives with his friends and church group. According to his mother, Ruth Stephens, he collects up to 350 bottles a week.

Matthew has also spoken to hundreds of classmates at his school about the need for environmental conservation. During his fundraising efforts, Matthew carries a hollow handmade globe piggybank that he fills with money. His goal is straightforward: to fill the earth to save the earth.

So what’s the best part of his work? “Getting people to help,” he whispers.“Because it makes it bigger.”