|
The YMCA Strong Kids Campaign is focused on raising much needed financial support for children, teens and families who are unable to afford the full cost of participation in a YMCA program or activity.
As prospective donors we all wonder how our individual gift could ever have an impact when the needs of our community seem so great. The YMCA Strong Kids Campaign helps one person at a time, one family at a time, or one program at a time. That might mean providing the funds to:
Help a child attend day camp for the first time
Help a struggling teen find employment
Enable a child to participate in a recreation or fitness activity
Enable a struggling family to use a child care facility
Help youth gain the confidence and skills to avoid addiction, violence, and isolation
Each YMCA association offers unique programs to serve the needs of their community; each community has children, teens, and families that need your help. We encourage you to invest in a child today. No Risks. Only Returns.
Zasuu is a proud sponsor of the 2009 Strong Kids Golf Tournament, held June 25th 2009 at the Calgary Elks Lodge and Golf Club.
 Randy Green, a director of the Calgary YMCA for four years and current Chair of the YMCA Calgary Strong Kids Campaign has been a member of the Calgary YMCA for 16 years. He first volunteered at the Y over 10 years ago and over the years has stepped up his involvement with the organization
Randy believes Strong Kids epitomizes what the organization is about: through the campaign, we live our mission, we demonstrate our values and principles and we fulfill our strategic priorities. He is proud to be associated with YMCA Calgary, proud of the difference we make in the community and honoured to be the Strong Kids Chair for 2008 and 2009.
Randy grew up in Vancouver and graduated with the degree in geological engineering from UBC. He has worked for both major and small oil and gas companies, has founded two exploration companies and currently is a Principal with Niven Fischer Energy Services Inc. headquartered in Calgary.
When asked how he manages time between his wife, two kids who are 12 and 18, volunteering, and being a Principal of an energy services firm, he says, “I'm a strong believer that you need a balance – portioning your time for the family, providing for the family and giving back to the community
Why the YMCA? My passion for the YMCA keeps growing stronger. It is like a love story; the more I get to know the organization, the deeper my passion becomes.
I started as a member, seeing the place – it’s just an atmosphere of caring. With a lot of the members, it is more than a membership in a fitness club; it's about social belonging, social responsibility, and being part of something bigger. I really like that. My enthusiasm for the organization largely stems from the exceptional work the Y does with children and youth. In today’s environment, where often both parents are working to make ends meet, the YMCA can be a resource for families to ensure children and youth can develop the skill sets they require to grow into proud, successful, and compassionate young adults. No Risk – Only Returns?
A strong focus of the Y is youth. If you think about our community, and how we can influence our community, our children are the window of opportunity. As older adults, we are often more set in our ways than we should be, but we can influence the kids! The Y, throughout all of our programs, encourages a sense of belonging, nurtures self esteem, and promotes a healthy, active lifestyle. We are helping mold the leaders of tomorrow! Our investment in our children and youth today will pay dividends for the next 70-80 years. This theme is emphasized in our 2009 Strong Kids tag-line “Invest in a Child, No Risks – Only Returns!”
How does your involvement with the YMCA and Strong Kids Campaign influence your children and the life lessons you provide your children?
Our kids are very interesting. My son has no interest in my philanthropic pursuits. He follows his own path and doesn’t want to be in my shadow, but he is a very compassionate and empathetic individual. On the other hand, my daughter has been directly impacted. She attends Camp Chief Hector (YMCA residential camp in Kananaskis) every year, works out at the Y with me and on her own, and wants to make a difference.
Planting the philanthropy seed and having the kids embrace it is a huge challenge. The seed needs constant care and attention.. We have tried with our kids to ensure that they develop some empathy and some sort of philanthropic capacity. Our son works at Blockbuster, and he willingly participates in their philanthropic endeavours. He is also very empathetic, being the most popular employee and friend to a couple of handicapped individuals his store employs.
How would you address the fear factor - “we don't qualify for this, but we want help” for most families out there?
The Y believes that everyone should have the opportunity to come to the Y and participate in programs and services. Today’s recipients of Strong Kids funds are tomorrow’s philanthropists and advocates for the organization. They may need some financial support right now; that is what Strong Kids is all about – support when you need it – maybe for one month or 6 months or 6 years.
The process is confidential. Someone walks in the door, and no one knows if they need or have received financial assistance. All individuals are equal. At camp, several Teepee mates may have required financial assistance but the kids don’t care where you are from, how you are dressed or how much money you don’t have. All they care about is the experience at camp and how much fun you are!
People don't know how far the Calgary YMCA reaches into the community. With our 4 fitness facilities and approximately 60 more programs out in the community – most in schools – thousands upon thousands of Calgarians access the YMCA every year.. We want the Y to be accessible to all, and to grow as the community grows. The Y's doors are open to everyone in the city.
Come on in and pay us a visit because every child and every person deserves a YMCA experience. Who are Camp Counsellors and what are they like?
My daughter was enthralled with her counsellors last year and asked me if she'd get the same camp counsellors again this year. I explained to her, “You might, but you might not given you are in a different program this year. But you know what? They are all great at what they do because they have a passion for kids and for their job.” The counsellors are all enthusiastic and caring and definitely have an impact! They relate to the kids, and they leave a lasting impression. How can we give to the YMCA?
 We encourage everyone to give what you can - whether it is time as a volunteer or funds – it all helps us deliver on our mission and further the philanthropic culture in our community.
One day during our campaign this year, I was talking to a fellow Y member and espousing the benefits of the Strong Kids Campaign. His responded, “I’d love to help, but you know my situation.” I told him, “You may not be able to help financially but think about your life experiences. Why don't you tell others about the Y and what it has meant to you?” Everyone has something to give; you just have to be willing to share and want to make a difference.
One of the pillars of the YMCA organization is our volunteer base. We have close to 1,000 volunteers breathing life and vitality into our organization. The volunteer base is critical to our success, so much so that it is one of our six strategic priorities over the next five years. We are always recruiting passionate and committed volunteers. Volunteers have impacted the growth, the culture and the success of the Calgary YMCA.
To make a financial gift and learn more about Strong Kids, please visit www.strongkids.ca.
What is the Y's goal for 2009?
1 in 4 children and youth that come through our doors every year require some form of financial assistance. Our Strong Kids Campaign goal for 2009 is to raise $830,000 so that we can support 12,000 children and youth have a YMCA experience. To date, we have raised $770,000 – so, we are getting very close!
The Y is celebrating their 107th year of helping the Calgary community. It is the 4th largest YMCA in Canada with 4 fitness facilities (soon to be six –one opening in the North-East in 2011 and a second one opening in the South Health Campus in late 2011) and a camp. It is committed to building strong kids, strong families, and strong communities. The Y organizes day camps, programs at Camp Chief Hector in Kananaskis and over 60 programs out in the community. Find out more at www.ymcacalgary.org
» No Comments
There are no comments up to now.
» Post Comment
|