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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday March 19, 2008 - 17 Health-related news, tips and stories from the YMCA of Oakville March 19, 2008 2008 Goal is $120,000 Raised to Date: $26,500 Our Mission The YMCA of Oakville is a charitable association open to all, dedicated to providing life-long opportunities for health enhancement and personal growth. WALKING STRONG FOR STRONG KIDS! WHY IS THERE A NEED FOR THE YMCA STRONG KIDS CAMPAIGN? This campaign was inspired in reaction to "Putting Children First: 2005 Report Card on Child Poverty in Ontario." Here's some of what we learned from that report: There are 1.2 million children in Canada living in poverty. Of those, 37% live in Ontario. 33% of low income children are in families where the parents work full-time, year-round. In the Town of Oakville, 11,000 adults live below the poverty line and almost 700 families are dependent on food banks every month. Research conducted by McMaster University has proven that YMCA programs have a positive impact on low income children, youth and families, dramatically enhancing their health and overall wellbeing, both today and well into the future. At the YMCA, we believe that everyone should be able to participate in our programs regardless of their ability to pay the fees. We focus on providing children and their families with the tools they need to succeed in life. On Wednesday March 5, 2008 the children at the Oakville YMCA Child Care Centres and School Age programs walked strong for the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign to help raise funds and awareness for the campaign. Pledge forms were sent home and the children learned about the importance of helping children and families in our community by raising funds to be put towards Y fee assistance. What a wonderful way for the children to be involved and a great way to celebrate their involvement! Children and staff worked together to reach a common goal as a team, bringing happiness to as many hearts as they could. Step by step, 1500 children walked through their communities singing, chanting, exercising and being philanthropists at a very young age! This was truly a wonderful experience shared by the children, parents and staff. Thank you to all! For more information, or if you would like to donate to the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign, please visit www.ymcastrong kids.ca, or call the YMCA of Oakville at 905-845-5597 ext 317. P.S. - Thanks to the kids from St. Bernadette's, Oakville Trafalgar and the Waterford Y Child Care Centres for posing for our pictures! SUPPORT THE YMCA STRONG KIDS CAMPAIGN TODAY! YES! I would like to invest in a child today! Name: ________________________________________ Address: ______________________________________ City: ____________________ Postal Code: ___________ Phone:________________________________________ Email: ________________________________________ Gift Amount: $25 $100 $200 Other $ __________________________ cash cheque credit card Please make cheque payable to YMCA of Oakville Visa Mastercard Card No: ______________________________________ Exp. Date: _____________________________________ Name on Card:__________________________________ Signature: _____________________________________ Mail to the YMCA of Oakville at 410 Rebecca Street, Oakville, ON, l6K 1K7 For information call 905-845-5597 ext 317 410 Rebecca Street | Oakville, ON L6K 1K7 | Telephone: 905-845-3417 | Fax: 905-842-6792 | Email: customerservice@oakville.ymca.ca | www.ymcaofoakville.com Monday to Friday 5:30 am ­ 10:00 pm | Saturday 7:00 am ­ 6:00 pm | Sunday 8:00 am ­ 6:00 pm Design by