Oliver’s growing concern

It’s really amazing what a seven year old can accomplish.

Oliver Allen-Cillis from Hamilton is warming the hearts of many and using his green thumb to bring bright gardens to the city. Today Oliver’s Garden was planted at Gage Park to kick off a new charity project. Thanks to Oliver and his family, five Hamilton families will be able to grow their very own organic vegetable gardens in the south Sherman neighbourhood.

Oliver won a $20,000 prize for planting a community garden last November and rather than putting the money towards buying more Lego – his favourite toy – he rooted it in this special project.

The Harvest Breakfast event at Gage Park today drew dozens of people for face-painting, organic treats and some yoga. Oliver says his project is all about helping kids in need in the city. “I saw people digging through trash cans, so we decided to give money to them so they can actually live happy and have a happier life.”

His mother, Stacey Allen-Cillis, explains the roots of the project.

“We had already been growing a garden and had the intention of them selling the vegetables out front for a family vacation. However, his idea is no, that’s not how we’re doing it. We’re going to sell the vegetables but we’ll give the money back to the kids who obviously need it more than we do.”

Jyoti Stephens of Nature’s Path Foods calls it “a pretty amazing special project, and I think to kids so involved and wanting to make the world a better place really reached people’s hearts and so we’re happy to support it.”

Oliver says half of the $20,000 he won will go towards local youth charities, and the other half will go to buying gardening tools and seeds for five new gardens. Oliver’s Garden was one of three projects selected to share a 65-thousand-dollar award from nature’s path for community garden projects.

Video: Eryl McCaffrey reports: