The YMCA in Chatham-Kent is calling on the community to help raise $85,000 to allow families in financial need to access programs designed to support healthy lifestyles.
Staff at the local facility, which is part of the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario, launched its annual Strong Kids Campaign on Friday.
“I think it’s important that all the monies that are raised in Chatham stay and benefit Chatham-Kent residents,” said Jim Loyer, chair of the campaign, adding they raised $77,000 last year.
Amy Wadsworth, general manager at the YMCA, said they don’t turn families away who want to access their services, so the funds from this campaign go towards supporting anyone who may be struggling.
“They’re able to access everything in the facility,” she said. “There are no limitations, nothing like that, so no one knows any different. We’re all under one roof all performing the same things, which is wonderful.”
Wadsworth said this financial assistance is meant “to help them stay healthy and active.”
TekSavvy Solutions Inc. announced a $15,000 donation towards the campaign. Spencer Antaya, sponsorships manager with the company, said it is important to support initiatives that can help build a healthy community.
“We’re a telecommunications company, so when you think of telecommunications, you usually think of being at home in a couch, in a chair. We need to still promote youth being active,” he said. “An active youth is going to grow into an active adult, and then they’ll pass that on to their children and their children, hopefully.”
Antaya said he isn’t a YMCA member, but he appreciated what the organization’s old location in Chatham offered him as a child.
Loyer said other people from the community and YMCA staff have also made donations to this year’s campaign.
from Chatham Daily News http://bit.ly/2IrxGV6
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