Thank you, Y Strong Kids Donors!

Child Care Bake Sale

On May 31st, children and staff in the Child Care department hosted a bake sale in support of the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign. The children were excited to share their experience and to tell people about the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign and how it makes it possible for all to take part in healthy, active programs and activities regardless of an inability to pay the full fee. With $923.12 raised from the bake sale, we are excited to say we can help send another 10 children to camp this year!

A big thank you to everyone who helped support the bake sale. Thank you for helping us build healthy communities.

2013 annual YMCA Strong Kids Campaign

On February 21, 2013, YMCA of Northeast Avalon launched the 2013 annual YMCA Strong Kids Campaign. Funds raised allow children, youth, and families in our community to participate in Y programs and activities which help them realize their potential and grow.

Record-breaking year for The Toy Factory:
$85,520 raised in cash and toys for the
YMCA Strong Kids and VOCM Cares

From Left to Right Back Row: Chris Roos, CEO, YMCA of Northeast Avalon, Kevin Fleming, Chair, YMCA of Northeast Avalon, Renee Fancey, Account Manager, The Idea Factory, Kevin Casey, Chief Strategy Officer, The Idea Factory Front Row: Children of the YMCA of Northeast Avalon

December 21, 2012, St. John’s, NL – What started five years ago as a plan to make Christmas mornings brighter for 200 single parent families has grown far beyond what the team at The Idea Factory could have imagined. Now, their annual fundraiser, The Toy Factory, is making dreams come true for children year-round, as their 2012 efforts will see over 700 more children able to join in the fantastic programs of the YCMA.

This year’s Toy Factory recipient is the Y Strong Kids program, which subsidizes Y camp and program fees for families who would otherwise not be able to take part. Says Kevin Casey, Chief Strategy Officer at The Idea Factory, “When we began planning this year, our goal was 500 tickets sold – that would mean 500 more kids would get to go to Y camps. We shattered that, thanks to some amazing friends and partners, and some very special contributions.”

In just one night at Club One, over $85,000 in cash and toys was raised, thanks to the generosity of the community. The biggest surprise of the night was a $5,000 donation from the IceCaps Cares and Williams Family Foundation, which helped to put the night over the top. Says Chris Roos, CEO of the YMCA of Northeast Avalon, “It was a joy to work with The Idea Factory team to pull it all together. The end result was more than we could have hoped for, and we can promise there are over 700 children who’ll feel the same joy, well beyond the Christmas season.”

Toy Factory 2012 Live featured a live auction and an impressive list of musicians including Timber, 709, Darrell Power, Turbulence and other special guests including Chelsea Parsons and Factory house band Pet Legs.

The Toy Factory is an annual fundraiser for marketing and communications agency The Idea Factory. The Toy Factory represents the spirit of imagination and possibility and reminds us that we should never be too busy to create, too complacent to question, or too distracted to give.

28^th Annual Resolution Run - December 31, 2012

Thank you to everyone who participated in the 28^th Annual Resolution Run on December 31, 2012. All proceeds raised go the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign to help support children, youth, and families to participate at the Y. The YMCA Strong Kids Campaign makes it possible for all to take part in healthy, active programs and activities regardless of an inability to pay the full fee. Thank you for helping us build healthy communities.

Deloitte & Touche Foundation Canada

The YMCA of Northeast Avalon would like to thank Deloitte & Touche Foundation Canada for the generous donation of $10,000 to the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign. The annual YMCA Strong Kids Campaign is focused on raising much needed financial support for children, youth, and families who are unable to afford the full cost of participation in a Y program or activity. Through generous donors, like Deloitte, children attend camp and child care, youth become involved in leadership and recreational activities, and individuals and families obtain access to health programs to improve their overall well-being.

From left to right: Kevin Fleming, Y Volunteer Board Director & Chair of Philanthropy Committee and President & CEO, Plato Consulting Inc, Brian Groves, Deloitte, St. Johns, and Chris Roos, CEO, YMCA of Northeast Avalon.

Running Room gives generously to YMCA Strong Kids Campaign

On October 1, 2012 Dwan Street, St. John's Running Room Store Manager, presented Michelle Northover, Director, Development, YMCA of Northeast Avalon with a cheque from Resolution Run 2011 held on New Year's Eve.

The $2500 will help children and families participate at the Y in health, fitness and recreation programs this year. The YMCA Strong Kids Campaign is focused on raising much needed financial support for children, youth, and families who are unable to afford the full cost of participation in a Y program or activity.