ELORA – As a nine-year-old, Parker Bossence is aware that war is going on in Ukraine, that buildings are being bombed and people are trying to flee.
His mother Natalie Bossence knows that when children want to do something good, and when they can find hope and purpose in doing good, it’s time to clear a path for those good deeds.
So it was easy to support Parker as he decided to transition his little business, Parker Bombs, to a fundraiser for Ukraine, Natalie said.
“We try not to overexpose our kids to news and adult issues, but they are aware,” she said.
“He was asking, ‘Could it happen here? And if it did, would his dad and uncles have to go to war?’
“We’re trying to channel that fear and concern into something good.”
Now Parker is making and selling Stand with Ukraine bath fizzies, with all proceeds going to the Canadian Red Cross’ efforts in Ukraine.
“Ukraine is a big country,” the Grade 4 student at J.D. Hogarth Public School said in an interview in their Elora home.
“And there are a lot of good people in it. A lot of brave people, especially now.”
Parker Bossence spent March Break making fizzy bath pucks to sell as a fundraiser for Ukraine. Submitted photo
Natalie is a veterinarian by trade who makes bath and beauty products as a side-hustle.
Her business is called It’s a Beautiful Life Boutique and not long ago, Parker asked if he could make his own line of bath bombs for kids as a way to earn some extra cash for himself.
But when the war in Ukraine began, Parker pivoted his business plan to become a fundraiser.
He made a number of fizzy pucks over March Break, and they are now available for purchase for $7 each.
“I feel like I’m helping. I feel good about it,” he said. “I know this isn’t a lot, but if everyone does a little, it means a lot.”
The pucks are made of natural ingredients like baking soda, citric acid, colouring and scents.
The dry ingredients are mixed with oil, pressed into a mold and left to dry for 24 hours. Then they are shrink wrapped and packaged up.
The Stand with Ukraine pucks are yellow and blue with a fun, citric fragrance. When put in a warm bath, they fizz and bubble and release their fragrance.
Natalie said all her recipes and products meet Health Canada standards are kid safe.
For more information or to place an order, visit www.itsabeautifullifeboutique.com, click on “Parker bombs” and then “Stand with Ukraine.”
