A very unique young woman who has been helping the homeless since she was eight years old shared her story around schools in Red Deer recently.

Hannah Taylor, now 15, started the Ladybug Foundation to help the homeless in May of 2004 and has been all over Canada doing as much as she can.

When Hannah was five she saw a homeless man eating out of a garbage can and from then on could not stop asking questions about why he had to do that.

“I was very sad and felt sick about it.”

From then on she has devoted her time to teaching people about homelessness and how a simple act of kindness can go a long way.

“I believe that if people know about homelessness they will want to help,” she said. “We need to be kinder to each other. I know some people who are afraid of homeless people, but they are great people — don’t be afraid of them. Just care for them and be kind to them.”

Hannah has also started National Red Scarf Day, which happens every Jan. 31st and is a day to remember and to walk a mile in their shoes while wearing a red scarf.

During her travels Hannah has made many great friends and always tries to find them on the streets whenever she can. One of her friends, Rick, lives in Winnipeg and Hannah first met him when she was visiting a homeless shelter.

“He is a beautiful person and when I met him he cried because I was hugging him and looking at him and talking to him.”

Rick now works with the Ladybug Foundation with the help from Hannah and shares his experience to help others.

“He showed me that kindness, hard work and caring from all of us gives people hope.”

If you would like to help Hannah Taylor with her cause, visit www.ladybugfoundation.ca.

tsigurdson@reddeerexpress.com