A lofty goal has been set for the 2019 YMCA Strong Kids Campaign.
At the Quinte West YMCA on Sunday, it was announced a $100,000 goal had been set for the 10th annual campaign.
The 2019 campaign will be led by chair Greg Parker and the Trenton Kiwanis Club.
Parker told those in attendance it is a lofty but achievable goal and there are several fundraisers planned.
He said the Kiwanis Club and the YMCA both work to improve lives and it makes sense they would align.
The club also made a $5,000 donation to “kick start” the fundraising.
This is the first time a club has taken on the leadership role of leading the Strong Kids Campaign.
2018 Strong Kids Campaign chair Michael Kotsovos, at right, presents 2019 Strong Kids Campaign Chair Greg Parker with a Strong Kids Campaign t-shirt at the Quinte West YMCA campaign launch on Sunday, April 28. (Photo: Amanda Smith)
YMCA of Central Eastern Ontario President and CEO David Allen also presented a cheque for $17,300 to be split among Quinte West, Belleville and Peterborough YMCAs, from the YMCA of Central Eastern Ontario Board of Directors.
He says the Strong Kids campaign helps to serve a higher purpose. It helps children take swimming lessons to learn a valuable lifesaving skill. It provides many young people with their first jobs, allows grandparents to have quality time with their grandkids and allows a busy mom the chance to talk to someone over the age of two.
Allen says the YMCA is about community building and that they can change people’s lives.
Quinte West Mayor Jim Harrison echoed those statements and said the YMCA has made many programs and activities available to those less fortunate, and those who get the chance to be a part of the YMCA just continue to blossom.
From left: David Allen, President and CEO YMCA of Central Eastern Ontario and 2019 Strong Kids Campaign Chair Greg Parker, president of the Trenton Kiwanis Club, show off the $17,300 cheque from the YMCA of Central Eastern Ontario Board of Directors. (Photo: Amanda Smith/Quinte News)
Regional General Manager Ron Riddell says staff have contributed time, energy and money to the YMCA.
He says many of the 100 employees are under the age of 25, and staff contribute to this campaign as well and all indications so far show staff will exceed the $8,000 raised internally last year.
