Healthy Kids • Y Stories • YMCA Child Care
How Barb is transforming lives by putting the ‘fun’ in fundraising
15 May 2018 - by Sasha Smith
How many people can say they’ve cut off most of their hair, eaten live crickets, and taken a pie to the face — all in the name of philanthropy?
Chances are, not that many. Someone who has, though, is Barb. Year after year, she surprises everyone with her quirky antics that help raise money for the YMCA Kids Challenge — our annual fundraiser dedicated to creating more spaces for children and families in Y programs. The event empowers youngsters in YMCA child cares to make a difference in their communities, and this year they hope to raise $250,000. Kids, families, and staff participate in fun activities during the month-long fundraiser, which culminates with a collective walk across the GTA on May 24.
To say that Barb is one of the most enthusiastic Kids Challenge Champions is an understatement. Her eyes light up as she talks about how she became so invested in the fundraiser. “At first it was just part of my job,” Barb says, referring to her status as a twenty-plus year member of the YMCA Child Care family. “But then, it quickly became a passion of mine. I was bitten by the fundraising bug.”
Since then, Barb’s passion and fun-loving personality have helped her create some out-of-the-box challenge activities, each more exciting than the previous. Last year, she and the kids from the Dr. Emily Stowe YMCA Child Care Centre decided on an ice-cream parlour theme, complete with every topping and flavour imaginable, for their walk. The cause, however, was not lost amongst the spectacle. With over $1,500 raised, this was the small centre’s most successful fundraiser. “We had close to 100% participation in the challenge and many incredible parent volunteers,” Barb says — some of whom took their stories online to encourage donations.
Although Kids Challenge is a fundraiser, Barb is quick to point out that raising money is not the sole purpose: “Teaching children about charity has always been a top priority for me. I like to keep the ‘fun’ in fundraising to show them that you can give to others and have a fantastic time.”
Philanthropy is a difficult concept for young children to grasp, so Barb starts the discussion far before the Kids Challenge season begins. “The concept of caring for others and having a ‘happy heart’ are things that we talk about all the time,” she says. “If kids understand these topics, they’ve taken the first step toward getting the idea of philanthropy.” To drive home the message, Barb ensures the children are actively involved in the Kids Challenge journey. After all, she explains, “it’s their challenge.”
For Kids Challenge 2018, Barb and the philanthropists-in-training are “walking” to the City of Light: Paris, France. “It’s only about 13 million steps,” Barb laughs, “but we’ll make it.” Throughout May, the kids have been counting their steps and designing materials to bring attention to the cause. They’ve also spent time practicing Parisian fine-dining etiquette at the centre’s very own “café,” because after the long trek to Paris, they’re likely to have worked up an appetite.
After years of creating Kids Challenge programs that capture the essence of the fundraiser, I couldn’t help wonder how Barb continuously manages to come up with fresh and innovative ideas. So, I asked this champion what inspires her to keep the challenge spirit going: “Kids,” she says. “It’s the kids who keep me motivated and seeing how excited they are to give back once challenge time arrives.”
Ready to flex your charity muscles? Help Barb and 20,000 children across the GTA shape the future our communities by making a donation to the YMCA Kids Challenge!
Chances are, not that many. Someone who has, though, is Barb. Year after year, she surprises everyone with her quirky antics that help raise money for the YMCA Kids Challenge — our annual fundraiser dedicated to creating more spaces for children and families in Y programs. The event empowers youngsters in YMCA child cares to make a difference in their communities, and this year they hope to raise $250,000. Kids, families, and staff participate in fun activities during the month-long fundraiser, which culminates with a collective walk across the GTA on May 24.
To say that Barb is one of the most enthusiastic Kids Challenge Champions is an understatement. Her eyes light up as she talks about how she became so invested in the fundraiser. “At first it was just part of my job,” Barb says, referring to her status as a twenty-plus year member of the YMCA Child Care family. “But then, it quickly became a passion of mine. I was bitten by the fundraising bug.”
Since then, Barb’s passion and fun-loving personality have helped her create some out-of-the-box challenge activities, each more exciting than the previous. Last year, she and the kids from the Dr. Emily Stowe YMCA Child Care Centre decided on an ice-cream parlour theme, complete with every topping and flavour imaginable, for their walk. The cause, however, was not lost amongst the spectacle. With over $1,500 raised, this was the small centre’s most successful fundraiser. “We had close to 100% participation in the challenge and many incredible parent volunteers,” Barb says — some of whom took their stories online to encourage donations.
Although Kids Challenge is a fundraiser, Barb is quick to point out that raising money is not the sole purpose: “Teaching children about charity has always been a top priority for me. I like to keep the ‘fun’ in fundraising to show them that you can give to others and have a fantastic time.”
Philanthropy is a difficult concept for young children to grasp, so Barb starts the discussion far before the Kids Challenge season begins. “The concept of caring for others and having a ‘happy heart’ are things that we talk about all the time,” she says. “If kids understand these topics, they’ve taken the first step toward getting the idea of philanthropy.” To drive home the message, Barb ensures the children are actively involved in the Kids Challenge journey. After all, she explains, “it’s their challenge.”
For Kids Challenge 2018, Barb and the philanthropists-in-training are “walking” to the City of Light: Paris, France. “It’s only about 13 million steps,” Barb laughs, “but we’ll make it.” Throughout May, the kids have been counting their steps and designing materials to bring attention to the cause. They’ve also spent time practicing Parisian fine-dining etiquette at the centre’s very own “café,” because after the long trek to Paris, they’re likely to have worked up an appetite.
After years of creating Kids Challenge programs that capture the essence of the fundraiser, I couldn’t help wonder how Barb continuously manages to come up with fresh and innovative ideas. So, I asked this champion what inspires her to keep the challenge spirit going: “Kids,” she says. “It’s the kids who keep me motivated and seeing how excited they are to give back once challenge time arrives.”
Ready to flex your charity muscles? Help Barb and 20,000 children across the GTA shape the future our communities by making a donation to the YMCA Kids Challenge!
