"Would you like to buy some Hope Soap?” 12-year-old Warren Butler asked his friends and family. “I’m going to donate the money I raise to the Autism Society of Newfoundland and Labrador.”

The young Salvation Army member, who attends the Conception Bay South church, was the winner of the 2016 Riley Mercer Pioneer Award, which is presented annually in memory of Riley Mercer, a 15-year-old boy who lost his battle with cancer three years ago. “The award is given to a child in our Pioneer children’s church group,” Warren’s mom, Charlene, says. The decision is based on certain criteria including having a positive attitude, showing respect for others and being a good Christian example.

The recipient is given a plaque and a financial reward. “The winner is allowed to keep half of the money and they must donate the other half of the money to a charity,” Warren explains. But instead of just donating the money, Warren purchased a soap-making kit with plans to make handmade soap to sell. “I made about 40 bars of soap in lavender and pumpkin pie scents. I planned to sell them for five dollars each. I took a business course in Grade 6, so I thought I’d be good at selling them.”

The business course must have paid off. Warren quadrupled the original amount and was able to donate $100 to the Autism Society. “I chose the Autism Society as my charity because my brother brought home a pamphlet about it, and I thought, Why not try to find a cure for autism?

Warren named his business “Hope Soap.” He chose that name because he thought it would inspire others. “I wanted people to give to me so I can give to others and then we would all have hope,” he says.

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