Strong Kids campaign beats goal, raises $137K to boost YMCA programs

The YMCA of Saskatoon raised more than their planned goal of $130,000 for programs to help get kids active and involved when they might not have the means to otherwise.

The Strong Kids Campaign endeavours to provide children with access to “pursue an active and healthy lifestyle,” according to a media release. The annual fundraising campaign raised $137,000, and CEO of the YMCA of Saskatoon Dean Dodge said they’d look to raise their fundraising targets after another strong year. For the Strong Kids Campaign, Dodge said the fundraising goal would be raised to $140,000 next time, and he hopes they can clear that as well.

“The funds that are raised through donations, they go to help families to have year-round access to the YMCA,” Dodge said.

The YMCA helps subsidize and sponsor hundreds of individuals and families every year.

After doing some recent renovations on the building, Dodge said he hopes the space can become more open and welcoming for anyone who visits.

And even in the warm summer months, the YMCA is still busy in downtown Saskatoon. Summer programs for children are going on throughout the warm months, and individual members are still attending regularly.

According to Dodge, attendance for the facilities is up from last year, and they’re all so thankful to everyone who is generous with their time and donations.

“The bulk of our donors are Y members, or they’re connected to the Y in some way. And it’s just fantastic,” Dodge said. “They recognize the value that the Y has played in their lives, so they want to make sure people have that same experience.”

And between swimming lessons, before and after school programs, and more from the 15 locations they’re involved in around the city, Dodge said more people have had contact with the YMCA than they might actually realize.