Thank you to everyone who supported Canuck Place through Emmett's fundraiser.

$1950 was raised for Canuck Place, and a Canuck Place benefactor doubled that to make the donations worth a total of $3900.

Two of Emmett's Santa Plaques were awarded: one is going to Anne in Ontario and one to Alesha in B.C.

Thank you for your support! Happy 2021!

Orange Hippos - you've got to be wondering what this has to do with a little boy with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, his Canuck Place Fundraiser, and anything to do with reality. The fact is, absolutely nothing and yet absolutely everything. Because this team name/phrase is from Emmett's incredible imagination. In this pic, taken in 2018, it shows Emmett when he still had front teeth and when his Orange Hippos t-shirt still fit him. Emmett is holding the original Orange Hippo, which for several months was his most favourite possession, and playing with his giant hippo, Po. Even now, when I asked Emmett and his mom where the original orange hippo toy was for the headline photo that is above, he could direct me to the exact location where this prized toy was located. No help was required to find Po!

Emmett has many favourite animals, but without question the Hippo is the absolute and ultimate favourite. And while he will rattle off several colours that he likes, there is no doubt that Orange is his 'top of the charts' favourite. In 2018 when we

were getting ready to participate in a roll/walk/run for Spinal Muscular Atrophy that was held in Stanley Park, we had to come up with a team name. While the adults bounced several ideas around, Emmett's suggestion was "The Orange Hippos"! That name stuck! The t-shirt was created. And the rest is history.

So there you have it, the name the orange hippos represents a little boy's incredible imagination, sense of humour, and love of life. This is Emmett's fundraiser - and the Orange Hippos started from his imagination but has morphed into the team that includes all of his family, friends and supporters.

If you make a donation to my.canuckplace.org/orangehippos then you will be making a donation to support many medically fragile youngsters and their unique imaginations. Plus if you make a donation this month (December 2020), your donation will be matched so every $1 you donate will mean $2 for Canuck Place. As of now, the fundraiser is at $1100 - we are really close to our goal of $1225.

Emmett loves the orange hippos and would love to see every room in the house decorated with them. This, of course, is maybe going too far for some members of the house! LOL!