2024 YMCA of Eastern Ontario Campaign to Ignite the Spark in Our Communities

Brockville/Kingston – As we go about our daily lives, it isn’t always obvious that we each wield tremendous power to ignite possibilities in our community – to help people reach their potential and improve the resiliency and health of our region.

“Each year, we reach out across our region to raise money to help families and individuals access healthy Y programs delivered in safe, welcoming spaces that go beyond fitness to promote positive connections,” said Rob Adams, CEO, of YMCA of Eastern Ontario. “We know the impact that physical health has on overall wellness as well as the sense of connection people feel at the Y. Our Ignite the Spark campaign helps us nurture this environment.”

The fundraising goal for the 2024 Ignite the Spark campaign is $432,000.

When people give to the Y, they ignite hope, positivity and kindness. They spark leadership in a teen, a sense of belonging in someone new to our community, joy in a child and healthy outcomes for a senior. When people give to the Y, their gift sparks opportunity.

“When individuals and corporations make a financial donation to the YMCA of Eastern Ontario, they ensure that we can continue to evolve our programs to meet community needs,” said Adams. “The Y doesn’t remain a static organization but works with our community partners to identify gaps in existing services. This is why, for example, we have grown programs to support food security and teen success, as examples.”

Last year, donors’ financial contributions provided subsidies to 22 percent of Y members. Donations, whether big or small, are also funded:

• 389 weeks of summer camps for kids.
• 30,000 meals to local kids and teens.
• 4,750 visits to Work Hard Eat Well, a free program providing a meal that kids cook along with fitness games.
• 3,496 visits to After-School Drop-in and 4,058 visits to Teen Night – two programs created to provide a safe space for at-risk teens to socialize.
• 513 classes for underserved rural seniors through Mobile Y.
• 396 aquatic leadership courses, addressing the lifeguard shortage.
• 42 weeks of swim lessons, which have expanded to Kemptville and Prescott during the summer.
• Every dollar helps someone in our community reach their potential.

Here are a few examples of what donations provide.

• $35 gives a child one month access to youth recreation programs
• $50 provides one day of snacks for our teen drop-in program
• $100 provides 10 meals for a child or teen
• $235 gives a child the experience of one week of summer camp
• $700 helps a senior stay mobile & maintain their independence with a year’s membership
• $1,000 offers a full scholarship to someone obtaining their lifeguarding certifications

The Ignite the Spark campaign accepts donations at the end of the year. There are also three cornerstones of the YMCA’s annual campaign. These are:

• Send a Kid to Camp: running from March 25 to August 15.
• The Gord Brown Memorial Golf Tournament: August 21.
• The George E. Smith Memorial Fire Truck Pull: October 19.

Funds raised will help to ignite the potential of our region through the charitable mission of the YMCA of Eastern Ontario.

About YMCA Eastern Ontario

The YMCA of Eastern Ontario is a charity that is passionate about creating opportunities and advancing the well-being of the communities we serve. We do this by developing healthy and successful people who in turn create a positive impact in their neighbourhoods. The Y is Ontario’s largest non-profit provider of childcare with trademarked curricula. It offers fitness, aquatics and other specialized programs including Work Hard Eat Well, Total Life Care, the Student Impact Program and others. www.eo.ymca.ca