Annual YMCA fundraiser, Cycle for Strong Kids, sets fundraising record

Photo: Contributed

Tom Budd was the presenting sponsor of this year’s Cycle for Strong Kids.

YMCA of Southern Interior BC’s flagship fundraiser took place on Sunday, June 1, in Kelowna’s Stuart Park, and it was bigger and better than ever.

The four-hour event featured an expanded kids’ and family zone, ice cream, pizza, huge prizes, four completely sold-out outdoor spin classes and hundreds of community members rallying together to support the cause.

“We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our amazing community for stepping up to support Cycle for Strong Kids,” YMCA of Southern Interior BC vice-president of philanthropy Tammie Watson says. “Together we raised an astounding $278,926.41, which will stay local in our community to help support our neighbours who need it most.

Photo: Contributed

“These funds will help us ensure low-income children, at-risk youth and families in need have the tools, resources and support networks they need to be healthy, resilient and strong. Our YMCA programs and services and designed to help our most vulnerable populations not only survive, but thrive.”

Sixty percent of youth requiring mental health supports are not receiving the help they need due to financial barriers. The Y is working to break down these barriers by providing youth with free or subsidized membership, along with free access to mental health support programs, drop out prevention programs and family support services.

Tom Budd of The Payton and Dillon Budd Memorial Fund, presenting sponsor of the 18th annual YMCA Cycle for Strong Kids, was astonished by this year’s event and the effort put in by staff, volunteers and sponsors to raise awareness and hope for vulnerable community members.

“The YMCA is breaking cycles of despair; their efforts are helping to lay healthy foundations for young people in our community to ensure children and youth have the tools and support systems they need to grow up healthy and strong, mentally and physically,” Budd says. “As a dedicated advocate for mental health, I’m honoured to be the presenting sponsor of this event, helping uplift future generations to ensure no child is left behind due to financial barriers.”

Funds raised at this year’s Cycle for Strong Kids will stay local in the community and continue to support the healthy development of local children and youth who are in need.

This year’s event included hundreds of attendees, with four fun-filled outdoor spin classes for adults and children. There was also NHL street hockey, and a passport by donation, which allowed children to explore all that the kids’ and family zone had to offer, collecting stamps along the way.

This year’s kids’ and family zone, sponsored by Jane Hoffman Realty, was filled with exciting activities, including a cartoonist, do-it-yourself wooden boat making kits, bouncy castles, face painting, games, balloons and so much more. The wellness zone was sponsored by Kelowna High Performance, and photo booths were sponsored by PurKids Foundation.

More information about YMCA of Southern Interior BC can be found on its website here.

Photo: Contributed

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