Being an angel to a few kids comes naturally to Sue Knighton of Earth Angel Landscaping.

There are two new badges on the front page of Earth Angel’s website today. These badges link to other organizations that Sue Knighton believes in and has supported through donations from her company.

The first; Operation Smile, began in the United States in 1982, and since then has grown to become a global foundation and provided over 220,000 free surgeries for children and young adults born with a cleft lip, cleft palate or other facial deformities.

By partnering with this foundation, Sue is helping one child. This child, is likely from a terribly resource-poor part of the globe, and to have a transformative surgery will change this child’s life.

“I have always wanted to do missionary work,” says Sue, adding “it is something I hope to do when Earth Angel is running on it’s own or when I retire”.

With such a great match to Sue’s core humanitarian values, it is no wonder she gravitates to helping less fortunate children.

“Some children are born with a silver spoon in their mouths and some are born with a plastic one; these are the lucky ones. Some kids don’t have any spoons at all”, says Sue.

Every three minutes, a child somewhere in this world is born with a cleft lip or cleft palate. These children are often unable to eat, speak, or even smile. It takes only about 45 minutes to repair a cleft lip or cleft palate. But the difference it makes lasts a lifetime. That new smile allows a child to go to school, make friends, and grow up strong and healthy!

Closer to home, Sue is supporting the youth in our own neighbourhood by sponsoring Futbol Niagara; a new sanctioned indoor soccer league that has come to the Haig Bowl in St. Catharines.

Having been an avid baseball player in her youth, Sue was looking to sponsor a team in that sport. It was a chance meeting at a business kick-off breakfast that brought her together with Ivan Spiegelberg the founder of Futbol Niagara.

The game called “Futsal” has two teams of five players, each playing one

another (four plus the goalkeeper). Like hockey, unlimited substitutions are permitted. Futsal is played on a hard court surface, like the rink at the Haig Bowl. The game is played between the lines and there are no walls or boards used.

The surface, a smaller ball and certain rules make for a fast paced game where players can show off their improvisation skills, creativity and technique.

For her donation, a team of 10 youths will be provided the jerseys and other equipment needed to enjoy the sport. A few of these children will also have their fees paid for by the March Brea

k program which is run by Futbol Niagara.

Sue isn’t looking for praise or even acknowledgement for her charitable donations. Working hard to help a few kids is just part of who she is. It was pleasing to her however, when the jersey colour for the squad, turned out to be just the right shade of orange to match the work gear you will find on all her employees each and every day.

Instant Karma perhaps?