Halfway there!
The YMCA of Northern BC is beyond the middle mark of its $60,000 goal for its annual Strong Kids campaign, the non-profit announced on Wednesday (March 31), thanks to its virtual MEGATHON event last month.
To date, $33,000 has been raised across events and general donations, including more than $10,000 from the MEGATHON itself, with the entire initiative scheduled to end Aug. 31.
“We are incredibly grateful for the campaign’s success thus far,” said CEO Amanda Alexander, who also unveiled the Prince George organization’s 2021 donor wall.
“Now, more than ever, our community needs our Y. We are well on our way to reaching that goal and ask that the community continue their support to ensure that all children and families can continue to reach their potential.”
As is every year, YMCA Strong Kids helps aid one in five financially-challenged families in the community to access their programs.
This includes summer camps, after-school programs and other services for youth and children.
During the campaign launch, Alexander told PrinceGeorgeMatters that overall wellness was a key factor for this year with COVID-19 creating challenges physically, mentally and emotionally among young people.
“I think what’s really important is our healing moving forward,” Alexander explained in an earlier interview, adding more than 300 young kids were able to participate in COVID-19-safe camp programs in 2020.
The YMCA also offered emergency care for essential service workers.
“We know we’re going to need our centres of community, for people to have connection and access to physical activity and wellness supports. We need this more than ever before, not just the YMCA but our communities and as a result, that’s why it’s so important to give.”
In addition to the public’s generosity, the YMCA says other forms of donations have been contributions from member and staff-member payroll deductions.
If you wish to make a donation to Strong Kids, you’re encouraged to visit the YMCA of Northern BC’s website.
