Riders Raise $105,000 for YMCA of Okanagan

KELOWNA – On Sunday, May 29 nearly 300 riders took part in the 10th annual YMCA Cycle for Strong Kids charity fundraiser outside the H2O Adventure + Fitness Centre. The event raised $105,000 smashing the previous year’s record of $77,000.

YMCA Cycle for Strong Kids involved a fun, energetic 45-minute stationary cycle class along with a kid zone, vendors, a silent auction, music, prizes and more.

Proceeds from the event will help support children and families in the Okanagan to access quality child care and other programs and services offered by the YMCA of Okanagan. Overall, one in five kids requires assistance to participate in YMCA programs. In YMCA Child Care, one in three families require assistance. The YMCA serves over 47,000 children, families and seniors every year in your community.

“The results of our 10th Annual YMCA Cycle for Strong Kids are extraordinary” says, Rhonda Zakala, GM of Marketing and Fund Development at the YMCA of Okanagan. “The generosity and support of our riders, sponsors, volunteers and employees is overwhelming. These are all people who recognize and appreciate the charitable work the YMCA is doing in the community.”

The event started as a way to get Kelowna companies more involved with the YMCA.
 
“Back in 2007 we had a couple of YMCA employees and volunteers round up some stationary bikes and transport them to various offices in the city where employees would cycle for an hour. In that first year we raised about $5,000. The growth of this event has been phenomenal,” said Zakala.

While the event has come a long way since its humble beginnings, the need to assist children and families in the Okanagan continues to grow. Individuals may help vulnerable children in our community by donating to the YMCA of Okanagan at ymcaokanagan.ca/donate.

YMCA Cycle for Strong Kids is presented by Fresh Air and Delcourt Advisory Group at Scotia Wealth Management.