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Gage Goetz discusses his commitment to philanthropy

A southeast Saskatchewan youth has been recognized for his commitment to philanthropy.
Gage Goetz
Gage Goetz holds the award that he received for philanthropy efforts. Photo submitted

A southeast Saskatchewan youth has been recognized for his commitment to philanthropy.

Gage Goetz was among the recipients of the National Philanthropy Day Outstanding Youth Philanthropist Award, presented by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) South Saskatchewan. He was one of three young people from southern Saskatchewan presented with the award.

“At the start, I was so happy (to get the award), because I knew this was a big award, and I knew it was a national award, so I was so excited when I first saw it, and when I got presented with it, I was just so happy,” Gage said.

Nominated by the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital, he is described as an “amazing 10-year-old,” who, at four days old, was diagnosed with a heart condition and has undergone two heart operations.

A 4-H kid, in 2019, he decided to auction off his 4-H steer with the proceeds going to Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation. The steer and other items raised more than $30,000. The sale of his steer Sammy raised $12,000, and then a group of local businesses bought his show stick and halter for another $12,000.

He has continued his relationship with the foundation as a Miracle Child. In October, he rowed each day on a rowing machine as a fundraiser for the children’s hospital. People pledged him for every 100 metres he completed.

His efforts generated more than $16,000.

“My goal originally was $1,000, and I blew past that, so then it was $4,000, and I blew past that, so then I boosted it up to $7,000, and blew past that,” said Gage.

Gage and his family – mother Tammi, father Trevor, sister Cosey and brother Owen – were named a miracle family for the foundation’s Radiothon fundraiser.

He said he wants to support the Children’s Hospital Foundation because he had both of his heart operations in Edmonton, and when he heard a children’s hospital was under construction in Saskatchewan, he thought it would be great addition.

“Some children that have to have appointments or have to have surgeries, can have them closer to home in Saskatoon. I thought I could raise a bit of money, and with my 4-H steer auction, I could take all of the earnings and give that to the hospital,” he said.

Gage has been to the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital on a couple of occasions, and he was impressed. The frog pod area, with its amphibious colours and decorations, was a highlight. 

“It’s a very great hospital. When I walk in there, it doesn’t give me that scary hospital feel. It gives me a fun forest feel because there’s a bunch of animals and colours and paintings,” he said.

Staff members are caring and treat the kids well.

Tammi pointed out the hospital foundation has had to change the way in which they raised funds this year, because a lot of their fundraisers were shut down due to COVID-19.

“They had invited more children to be Miracle Children for the hospital this year, so that’s how this got rolling, is the hospital invited Gage to be part of their miracle family stories, and then each of those children had their own fundraising page.”

He decided he wanted to do something individually to promote awareness for the hospital.

Gage said he knows of a lot of kids who are doing great things in southern Saskatchewan and would have been deserving, so it’s a special feeling that he was chosen.

“I think it’s good for kids to get involved because it can show them how great it is to put money into a great cause and help out your community and potentially help out your friends,” said Gage.

Due to COVID-19, AFP adapted from a one-day luncheon to a week-long virtual celebration. From Nov. 15-22, 28 organizations and individuals were celebrated through a series of videos on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.