Port Alberni woman named Canada’s Nicest Person

Angel Magnussen, who runs the non-profit charity Hugginz by Angel, has been named Canada’s Nicest Person. Credit: Roots Canada

A Port Alberni woman who sews blankets for sick kids has been dubbed “Canada’s Nicest Person” by Roots Canada.

Angel Magnussen created Hugginz By Angel, a registered Canadian charity that provides blankets and other items for kids with serious illnesses or other medical conditions.

Magnussen, who has Down syndrome and autism, has fundraised for various charities and has made blankets for sick kids in Canada and around the world. 

In May, Roots Canada it was searching for “Canada’s Nicest Person” in honour of Canada’s 150th birthday. Canadians could nominate their friends and neighbours who made a positive impact on their community or their peers. 

The company announced Friday that Magnussen was the winner. A $10,000 donation will go toward a charity of her choice. She will also receive a $500 Roots gift card and a custom Roots Award jacket. 

I am so happy to be named Canada’s Nicest Person $10,000 will help me to sew more blankets,” Magnussen said in a statement.

“I want to wrap sick kids in a warm hug to help them heal. Thank you for helping me to help sick kids.”

Last year, long-distance runner Curtis Hargrove travelled for 49 days to Los Angeles to give one of the blankets to Ellen Degeneres. Unfortunately, Ellen did not receive the blanket, but the campaign helped raise money for Hugginz By Angel.

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