10-year-old Ontario boy raises money for SickKids with hot chocolate stand
A 10-year-old boy from Ontario is spending his winter weekends brewing batches of hot chocolate for a good cause.
For years Cohen Lane has wanted to do a fundraiser for Toronto’s Hospital For Sick Children—but he wasn’t sure what to do. That is until, while shopping for Christmas decorations, the family came across the makings for a lawn stand.
“He was like, ‘Oh, can you do a cocoa stand for me so I can raise money?’” his mother, Karina Oliveira, told CTV News Toronto. “And then we just started kind of building it up.”
Cohen then went to work, designing both the stand—complete with a topping bar and alternative tea options—as well as a QR code so those without cash can still make donations. They even have a water heater as well as a seating area where people can enjoy their beverage of choice.
“It’s been very busy, but it's been really fun,” the 10 year old said. “Everyone said that it was really good chocolate.”
Cohen Lane's hot chocolate stand is seen here. (supplied)
The family has a strong connection to SickKids Hospital. Oliveira said her nephew—Cohen’s cousin—was taken there when he was just three months old, after experiencing a Tracheal collapse.
“Within I’d say two days, you can see he totally turned around,” she said. “We’ve had other family members who've had to go to SickKids, like actually recently last month, my young cousin, he also had to go in.”
“Cohen's just really always loved SickKids … it’s just such a great hospital.”
Cohen added that he hopes to help raise money so that the hospital has more funds to support their patients, especially during a time of year where they are operating at overcapacity. Earlier this month, SickKids had to put some surgical procedures on hold to preserve critical care capacity.
“The other reason why I did the SickKids this Christmas is because there's a lot of things going on at SickKids,” the boy said. “It's really full.”
Cohen started with a goal of raising $350 for the hospital, but after the first weekend the family had collected about $1,200 in donations—selling about 100 cups of hot chocolate on a pay-what-you-can scale and accepting even more in electronic transfers.
They plan to be on their front lawn in Whitby, Ont. every Saturday and Sunday between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. until Dec. 31 to continue to raise money. The family is even expanding their operations, having spent some time this week at Bulk Barn hand picking a bunch of new hot chocolate toppings, as well as holiday-themed teas for those who may not have much of a sweet tooth.
“My most favorite thing since I'm English, that’s one of my backgrounds, is tea but I love hot chocolate. I love me some hot chocolate,” Cohen said.
“It's just a festive thing on holidays everyone likes.”
Cohen has multiple different types of hot chocolate at his cocoa bar, including S’mores, Rollo and Turtles. A company called “Deadly Grounds” also donated a dozen two-pound bags of original hot chocolate to the family for their fundraiser.
“That's a lot of hot chocolate,” he said.
Cohen has done a lot of advertising at his school and on social media—and hopes that people continue to come out to the cocoa bar. The family has set up a donation page through SickKids Hospital so that people know where their money is going. On the page, it says the money will be used to build a new state-of-the-art hospital, continue the hospital’s research and build partnerships around the world.
Cohen credits his early fundraising success to his neighbours and friends who are helping get the word out. He has since raised his goal to $5,000—although he jokingly hopes to make $10,000.
“We are also going to do this every year,” Cohen added.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Five areas Canada's foreign interference commissioner says needs more investigation
Commissioner Marie-Josee Hogue released her interim report examining foreign election interference on Friday. Here are five elements of the issue that Hogue says she needs to further probe before she can make conclusions or recommendations.
Police officer hit by driver of fleeing vehicle in Toronto
York Regional Police say they are continuing to search for a suspect in an auto theft investigation who was captured on video running over a police officer in Toronto last month.
Why your airfare may be getting more expensive
Skyrocketing airfare prices are linked to heightened competition and rising food and fuel, according to the CAA.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
New weight-loss drug Wegovy not a 'magic bullet,' doctor warns
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.
Funeral today for broadcasting legend and voice of 'Hockey Night in Canada' Bob Cole
A funeral is being held today for hockey broadcasting legend Bob Cole in his hometown of St. John's, N.L.
Foreign meddling 'did not affect' overall federal election results: inquiry report
Foreign interference by China did not affect the overall results of the 2019 and 2021 general elections won by Justin Trudeau's Liberals, a federal commission of inquiry has found.