Andi Lin Hudson poses with care packages she donated to the Downtown Mission December 17, 2018. (Photo courtesy of Jessica Hudson)Andi Lin Hudson poses with care packages she donated to the Downtown Mission December 17, 2018. (Photo courtesy of Jessica Hudson)
Windsor

Windsor girl spreading holiday spirit

An 11-year-old Windsor girl is learning about compassion and money management through a program to help those less fortunate.

Andi Lin Hudson came up with a project, dubbed the "Keep Warm Project", to help those in need. She started out by selling bracelets. The project took off, as Andi's mother Jessica told BlackburnNewsWindsor.com, and it was because Andi did much of the planning herself.

"Back in November, she wrote a proposal to me about selling bracelets for a dollar apiece to buy hats and mitts to give out to people in the community," said Jessica. "So she came up with that plan and started making bracelets."

This plan was very elaborate, with Andi learning how to create a spreadsheet and using it to keep track of her expenses, as well as the money that is coming in and going out. Thanks to social media, sales for the bracelets took off, and Andi sold $395 worth of them. Her mother promised to add an additional $200 if she hit a certain target.

Altogether, Andi collected $670 and used that sum to purchase supplies for care packages. Andi personally delivered 108 of them to the Downtown Mission on Monday afternoon.

"They have hats, mitts, hand warmers, personal wipes, a pair of socks, a granola bar and some Halls," said Jessica, adding that 90 of those care packages contained free coffee vouchers from McDonald's, which were donated to Andi in support of her project.

With this project already a success, Jessica said Andi is already looking forward to her next venture, which involves expanding the project to run year-round, and even going cross-border.

---with files from Adelle Loiselle

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