Vancouver Sun

Fundraiser tackles poverty with target of $ 75,000

- GERRY BELLETT gbellett@vancouvers­un.com

May 12 to 16 is Inner City Kids Week for CLICK, the volunteer community organizati­on dedicated to raising money to help Vancouver’s children and youth living in poverty.

CLICK ( Contributi­ng to Lives of Inner City Kids) will hold its fourth- annual Definitely Not A Gala fundraisin­g event on May 15 from 6: 30 p. m. to 9 p. m. at the Creekside Community Centre, 1 Athletes Way, emceed by media personalit­y Fred Lee.

Tickets are $ 35 and a silent auction will be held.

CLICK was founded in 2004 and has distribute­d more than 200 grants to 130 programs that have provided food, safe out- ofschool care, sports and camping opportunit­ies and literacy programs to inner- city students.

It has raised more than $ 250,000 in the past 10 years and has a goal of raising $ 75,000 this year, said CLICK president Catherine Atyeo.

“We are asking donors to pledge $ 10 a month for 12 months, which is what they would likely spend on coffee, to help an inner city kid,” said Atyeo.

Inner city teacher and CLICK board member Janey Lee said she sees the effects of poverty first- hand with the kids she teaches.

“That’s why I’m passionate about CLICK. I would ask anyone who may be interested in helping to come out to our fundraisin­g event,” said Lee.

For anyone unable to attend the event but who wants to help, a donation to CLICK can be made through clicktokid­s.ca with donations of more than $ 20 receiving a tax receipt.

“Dress for the event is casual and people will enjoy scrumptiou­s food prepared by the alumni of Templeton Secondary, my former high school,” said Lee. “There will be fabulous silent auction items, jazz music and one of the best views of the city.”

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