NEWS RELEASE
YMCA OF SIMCOE/MUSKOKA
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The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka is pleased to announce they have received a donation of $3,800 from this year’s Sweetwater Film Festival held on Nov. 3, 2018 in Collingwood, Ontario. Coupled with last year’s festival proceeds, the organization has donated $10,865 to help fund outdoor experiences for local youth through the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka’s Youth Leadership program. $4,000 of in-kind donations was also donated from Free Spirit Tours and Highlands Nordic.
“We are very thankful for the funding from the Sweetwater Film Festival. Without it we would not be able to provide these green space opportunities to our youth periodically throughout the year,” said Nilusha Premasinghe, General Manager, Collingwood and Wasaga Beach YMCA. “As a result of getting our youth outdoors, we’ve seen increased confidence and responsibility that comes with interacting with nature, an abundance of creativity and imagination, and it gets them moving while reducing stress and fatigue. It is a win-win situation.”
With the help of the donation, Sweetwater and the YMCA are able to provide youth with outdoor programming such as kayaking, paddle boarding, Nordic skiing, mountain biking, snowshoeing and more. All sessions include equipment, transportation and instruction by local, professional guides at no cost to the youth. Funds raised to date will provide over 275 individual experiences for local youth.
“Knowing the important role the Y plays in providing healthy sports and social activities for youth in our community, we are pleased to support the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka,” said Kyle Young, Founder and Festival Director. “We’re big believers in the positive mental and physical benefits of the natural world. That’s why the proceeds generated from our events fund outdoor programs for youth to discover experiences like rock climbing, caving, canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, snowshoeing, skiing, and mountain biking.”
The annual Sweetwater Film Festival takes place at the Gayety Theatre in Collingwood, Ontario, and screens inspiring short and feature length films about the outdoors. It brings together those who are passionate about being active in nature, all the while raising money for a great cause. For more information about the YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka Youth Leadership programs, please visit www.ymcaofsimcoemuskoka.ca/youth-leadership. For more information about the Sweetwater Film Festival, please visit www.sweetwaterfestival.ca.
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