Dustin Ryan of RDS Maintenance put $5,000 into the bus to kick start the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario’s Fill the Bus CAMPaign.
The campaign, which has a goal of $200,000 to send 1,000 kids to camp across the region, began June 10.
Here in Chatham-Kent, the YMCA is aiming to send 70 of those kids – raising $14,000 total.
Thanks to RDS and others, 48 of those 70 children are covered so far.
“Camp is an educational and magical experience. We believe that spending time at camp builds confidence and independence that campers will take with them through to adulthood,” Andrew Lockie, CEO, YMCA of Southwestern Ontario, said in a media release. “We appreciate that the cost of camp is more challenging for some, and our Fill the Bus campaign raises funds to ensure every child can attend camp, regardless of their financial circumstances.”
Children and youth who attend camp report increased environmental awareness, positive attitudes towards physical activity, emotional intelligence, personal development, and self-confidence. Many children are spending more than 7 hours a day in front of a screen, and camp gives kids access to healthy activities that connect them to others and the joy of life beyond the screen.
To find out more about Fill the Bus, visit ymcaswo.ca.
