Meet the Amazing Alexandra!

This young lady is already changing her world!

The first time I spoke to Alexandra Proctor in November 2011, I was immediately impressed with her presence and confidence, no small thing for a 12-year-old. We discussed a project she wanted to undertake for a Grade 7 assignment “to make change” in her community or the world. She had heard through an older cousin of her mother’s about Not Just Tourists – Ottawa and wanted to help. However, Alexandra lives in Kingston and, well, we’re in Ottawa. And did I mention she’s 12 and can’t drive yet?

But, Alexandra had already scoped everything out. She planned to fan out to pharmacies, clinics, etc. with information about NJT-O and solicit donations of medical supplies, vitamins and medicines. Said she’d get back to me after Christmas and arrange with her dad to deliver whatever supplies she collected to our little warehouse space.

Christmas came and went. As did January, February and March. Alexandra surfaced briefly with draft copy for a web site she was constructing. April came and went. We figured we’d lost her to youthful over-enthusiasm that had petered out.

The Johnson & Johnson donation! Woohoo!

Boy, were we wrong! On Wednesday, May 2, Alexandra’s father arrived bright and early at the warehouse with a car loaded with supplies: 30 suitcases and backpacks; 24 travel first aid kits (bandaids and Polysporin); child and adult vitamins; toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss; pediatric Ibuprofin; Advil; antibiotic ointment; assorted bandages; 30 pairs of eyeglasses, etc. All collected by Alexandra personally. She had written to Johnson & Johnson for bandaids. She had written to 3M and got 20 boxes of bandages. In short, this young lady went above and beyond to ensure NJT-O has easily a full month’s worth of supplies! A full month from one young volunteer. Makes the rest of us look a little slow. But, let’s chalk it up to her youthful energy, which is definitely way up there.

And that web site? It’s called Health on Holiday and it is a fine-looking site. Alexandra even made a 3:14 music video and posted it on YouTube about the need for medicines and supplies around the world. It’s on her web site.

We’ve heard that Alexandra is a very energetic young lady. NJT-O is only one of many activities she’s involved with. She’s in the gifted program at Calvin Park Public School in Kingston and is an avid competitive dancer (when she was both nine and ten, she danced in Ballet Jorgen’s Group of Seven Nutcracker in Kingston). Then, in early March, she won a Silver Medal at the 2012 Frontenac Lennox and Addington Science Fair held at Queen's University. In early April, her dance team was part of the pre-game and half-time show for the Harlem Globetrotters in Kingston. That must have been very cool.

This young lady is clearly going places. The rest of the world will just have to try to keep up!

Alexandra, thanks from all the volunteers of Not Just Tourists – Ottawa. You rock, girl!