Published May 08, 2019 06:00
Name: Troy
Age: 11
BGC Club Location: North End Hub - Rideau Heights Community Centre
BGC Member Since Kindergarten
What is your favourite activity at the Boys and Girls Club? Going Outside and Playing Camouflage
How does coming to the Boys and Girls Club make you feel? It makes me feel at home, comfortable
What is your favourite memory of the Boys and Girls Club? When I was younger, we put our hand prints in colourful paint on a table - we still have it at the Club and I can find my hand prints!
What should everyone know about the Boys and Girls Club? It's fun!
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In almost every neighbourhood in Kingston, locals know they can find a McDonald’s restaurant that is ready to serve them with a smile; what many Kingstonians may not know is that there are just as many Boys and Girls Club locations across our city ready to serve children and youth with the same amount of enthusiasm.
The Boys and Girls Club of Kingston & Area’s vision is to deliver barrier-free programs to help members discover and achieve their dreams and grow up to be healthy, successful, and active participants in the community- and they open their doors to serve over 5,500 children and youth annually. To help them carry-out this vision, McDonald’s Restaurants across Kingston & Area are helping to support the 19th Annual Kingston Whig-Standard Spring Campaign in support of the Boys and Girls Club, by donating a portion of the total proceeds raised from today’s McHappy Day to the campaign. This generous support is a great way to kick-off a campaign that provides accessible high-quality programs for local children and youth.
Todd and Amy Shea, the local owners and operators of McDonald’s restaurants across Kingston, are committed to helping children and youth - “We wanted to carry on the legacy of investing in local youth that [former McDonald’s owners] Ron and Karen have been upholding for years. McHappy Day is a great way to raise awareness of Ronald McDonald House Charities and also to invest in local organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club. Our team feels strongly about the impact the Boys and Girls Club has on young people in our community and we can’t wait to make this year’s McHappy Day campaign the most successful to date.”
As one of Kingston's largest employers of youth in Kingston, McDonald’s dedication to providing employment for youth is a tremendous contribution to Kingston’s economy and future. McHappy Day is always a very special day, as an exciting effort of fundraising in support of Kingston children. Today, on May 8, 2019, a dollar from the sale of every Big Mac, Happy Meal and any size hot beverage will be donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Kingston and Area and Almost Home.
“We are so grateful for the generosity and hard work of the staff team at McDonald’s, who have been fundraising for months leading up to McHappy Day to support children and youth in our community. We hope everyone will come out to a local restaurant today to support the McHappy Day initiative and a business that continuously supports young people through both employment opportunities and fundraising campaigns like this one.” says Harold Parsons, Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club.
For over 20 years, McDonald’s has partnered with The Boys and Girls Club of Kingston & Area, as the two share the same goals and passions for children. The Boys and Girls Club of Kingston & Area offers opportunities for all young people, from infancy into young adulthood to build confidence and skills to help them be successful in life. The Boys and Girls Club after-school programs offer a place where young people can be themselves, belong and are valued members of a larger community. Youth spend half their waking hours participating in leisure time activities and research shows that participation in extracurriculars, such as BGC after-school programs can encourage:
- increased academic attainment;
- development of pro-social behaviours (i.e. Increased empathy for others);
- more contributions to the community through community service and involvement;
- and increased psychosocial factors (i.e. confidence, resilience, competence, self- esteem, and caring for others).
Whether it’s by participating in a sports league, developing their leadership skills, learning healthy eating habits and how to cook, or receiving help with homework, the Boys and Girls Club aims to empower all children and youth to reach their full potential. Through supporting McHappy Day, or making a donation to The Kingston Whig Standard Campaign, you can help make a difference for young people in our community.
“We are sincerely grateful for our committed partners and individuals who invest so generously in the hopes, dreams and future of our young people. Please support this worthwhile organization and during the month of May please follow the campaign as we tell the Boys and Girls Club story.” says Steve Serviss, 2019 Chair.
Thank you to our donors!
Peter Kingston – Board of Directors $2000
Enterprise Holdings Foundation (c/o Carloft.ca) $1500
Yvonne & James Gebhardt $100
Anonymous $300
Margaret Mauntenay $200
Anonymous $100
Robert & Wanda Jamieson $200
Anonymous $100
In Memory of Eric King $100
Virginia Wakeford $100
Anonymous $100
Jim & Jeanette Walmsley $100
Evelyn Maizen $100
Doug & Marianne Thompson $100
Lorne Campbell $150
Anonymous $100
Jim Garrah $100
Anonymous $100
Anonymous $50
Anonymous $100
Campaign Total: $5700
Donate Now
Whig-Standard/Boys and Girls Club Campaign How to Donate By cheque:
To the address below and indicate if you would like to keep your donation anonymous.
By credit card (Visa, MasterCard): Call 613-507-3306, ext. 110
By cash: At the Boys and Girls Club of Kingston and Area West End Hub, 1300 Bath Rd., Kingston, ON, K7M 4X4
Online: At www.bgckingston.ca , click on the secure “Donate Now” button on the top right side of the website.
Tax Receipt: A tax receipt will be mailed to you within four weeks.
Questions: Heather Hayhow, heatherh@bgckingston.ca
Thank you for supporting the Boys and Girls Club of Kingston & Area!