The 2012 Ride for Kids raised almost $95,000, and with your help – as a rider, volunteer or donor – we hope to top that in 2013. Our goal this year is to raise $150,000. All funds raised go to four outstanding local organizations: Youth Central, the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign, the Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank – Norton Rose Fulbright Milk for Teens Program and KidSport Calgary.
Norton Rose Fulbright has supported Youth Central since the first year of the Ride for Kids. Through various initiatives, Youth Central provides youth the opportunity to volunteer, serve on steering committees, voice their opinions to business leaders and politicians, learn about the diversity in their community, serve on a youth foundation and develop citizenship skills. To create these opportunities, Youth Central runs ten different programs and events, all of which give young people the opportunity to grow as individuals.
The YMCA Strong Kids Campaign focuses on raising much needed financial support for children, teens and families who are unable to afford the full cost of participating in a YMCA program or activity. Funds go towards initiatives such as helping a child attend a day camp, helping a struggling teen find employment, enabling a child to participate in a recreation or fitness activity, enabling a struggling family to use a child care facility, and more. All money raised goes directly to children and youth in Calgary.
The Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank is dedicated to the collection and distribution of quality emergency food to those in need. Norton Rose Fulbright has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with the Calgary Food Bank and helped implement the Norton Rose Fulbright Milk for Teens Program which provides additional milk for more than 12,500 adolescents between 13 and 17 years old each year.
KidSport Calgary is a local, non-profit organization focused on providing positive sport and recreation opportunities for children from low-income families and those in need. Funds raised in Calgary support young athletes in Calgary. KidSport believes that no child should be left on the sidelines, and that all should be given the opportunity to experience the positive benefits of organized sport. KidSport provides financial support to children in order to help overcome the monetary barriers that prevent them getting into the game, gym or studio. Focusing on the economic, social and educational needs of the community, KidSport Calgary promotes sport as a tool to develop strong and healthy communities.