For the past eight weeks, Szkut, 22, alongside her entourage of friends and family, has traveled to local businesses, setting up shop each week and giving away a product to shoppers as part of the Rotary Club's "If I Had a Thousand Dollars" campaign.

In March, the Rotary Club of Waterdown appealed to the community. Groups and individuals were encouraged to submit their thoughts on how they would spend $1,000 to help support local groups, projects and families in need.

Hamilton Family Network's Carrie Leo spearheaded the "Isn't it Wonderful to Live in Waterdown Day" initiative, which wrapped up last week. Inspired by a recent episode of Oprah, in which the talk show host awarded each of her audience members $1,000 with instructions to pay it forward, Leo and Szkut drafted a plan similar to Oprah's project for the Waterdown community.

Leo and Szkut requested that the Rotary Club award them with $100 each week to purchase a specific product from a local business in Waterdown. In turn, the business would match the donated amount and Szkut would hand out freebies to all shoppers.

"What they were proposing was so different for us," explained Garry Flood, of the Rotary Club of Waterdown.

The pair was awarded a total of $800. They then canvassed Szkut's favourite businesses around town to see if they would participate in the project.

Tim Hortons, Jitter Bug Java Café, Weeks Home Hardware, Blockbuster, Connon Nurseries, Shoppers Drug Mart, Sobeys and the YMCA were on board for the initiative. Szkut and her entourage of friends handed out Tim Bits, mini muffins, cooler bags, popcorn, flowers, Mars chocolate bars, and hand sanitizer bottles at the various locations.

A sticker that read "Isn't it Wonderful to Live in Waterdown Day - This gift has been sponsored by (the name of the business) and the Rotary Club of Waterdown," was included to identify each donated item.

On the final day of the project, Leo accompanied Szkut to the last venue, the Flamborough YMCA, where face painting, cake and Magic Mike Doyle, a magician, entertained the children at the facility.

Szkut's and Leo's goal was to put a smile on people's faces, "because that's what Vanessa loves," noted Leo.

Reactions were mixed when Szkut handed out items at no charge to customers. Some were hesitant to accept the gift, in fear of having to donate money for a charity of some sort. Others were surprised and appreciative of the nice gesture and smiled. Mission accomplished.

"This is a feel-good thing," said Flood of the project.

"We were all happy to do something for the community, and something for nothing doesn't happen these days," he added.

According to Szkut and Leo, the Rotary Club was extremely supportive, ensuring that Szkut was armed with stickers for the items and ready for her next appearance in town.

The pair noted that without the businesses that took part in the initiative, "Isn't It Wonderful to Live in Waterdown" wouldn't have been possible.

The Hamilton Family Network, through Leo's involvement in the project, was also glad to have been able to put smiles on people's faces within the community.

Szkut is thankful for her friends and family who accompanied her to the various locations throughout the summer, although they did pass on the early morning appearance at Tim Hortons, leaving Szkut's mom to join her at the Dundas Street East facility.

Leo came to know Szkut through the Hamilton Family Network where Szkut's mom worked.

"Vanessa is part of our project called Opening Doors," noted Leo. Hamilton Family Network's Opening Doors program assists individuals with disabilities in finding jobs that are suited to likes, strengths and abilities.

Throughout their time working together to find Szkut an employment placement, Leo and Szkut have become close friends, making the "Isn't It Wonderful to Live in Waterdown" project even more fun.

"The best part was that Vanessa got to do what she likes to do best," said Leo.

"She got to spend time with her friends, be social, be in the businesses she likes the most and give out something free, which isn't hard to do, as well as be part of the Rotary Club."

Neither the Rotary Club of Waterdown, Szkut nor Leo know what the future holds for the "Isn't It Wonderful to Live in Waterdown" project, but all were glad to be a part of it.

Szkut hopes that her community involvement and love for others will benefit her in her search for employment.

The Hamilton Family Network is an organization that advocates for those with disabilities, providing information sessions for families, parent to parent matching, assisting with transition plans for students after they graduate high school and providing individuals with jobs in the community.

"The Hamilton Family Network does not focus on disability but rather focuses on everyone's strength in the community," said Leo.