Submitted by Dominique Lalama
MAY 13, 2021 VOL. 2 ISSUE 19
Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Niagara has created a virtual fundraiser called Move for Kids’
Sake that is taking place until May 31.
Celia Carr, the organizations fundraising and events coordinator, announced and explained the
new virtual event at the Council Meeting on April 26.
“This is a simple, safe and fun fundraiser that will get you moving and support our kids,” Carr
said. “All you need to do is sign up, choose a fitness activity, share your personal fundraising
link on social media or through email and watch the donations come in.”
“Then it’s time to follow through and get moving!”
Carr said participating is very easy and individualized. Each participant can choose any
donation amount and corresponding physical activity that appeals to them. She gave examples
such as walking your dog for every $5 raised, or going for a one-kilometre run for every $20
raised.
There is no minimum pledge amount required to enlist in Move for Kids’ Sake, and Carr said the
charity is hoping to reach $45,000 in donations by May 31. She went on to say that raising funds
has proven to be easier than participants originally thought it would be.
“Many of our participants have reached their fundraising goal just by posting to social media
twice,” Carr said. “I have exceeded my personal fundraising goal by more than $200 just by
posting my link on Facebook three times.”
Move for Kids’ Sake, which began on March 16, is an attempt to raise money to go towards
providing children with mentors, something the foundation has had more difficulty with this year
due to the pandemic. The past year has seen the Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Niagara
foundation cancel almost all of their fundraising efforts such as the well-loved Bowl for Kids’
Sake and Golf for Kids’ Sake events, among others.
Mayor Wayne Redekop showed his approval for the idea, calling the newly created event “pretty
exciting and really innovative.”
The Mayor also went on to say that he wishes the foundation the best of the luck in gaining
participants for the event, because he knows Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Niagara always
has “great success in fundraising.”
Stephen Passero, on the board of directors for the Big Brothers Big Sisters South Niagara
branch, said he has had the pleasure of year after year, crowning Fort Erie with a trophy for
raising the most funds of any municipality in the South Niagara geographical area.
Passero thanked the entire council for their ongoing support, but gave a special shoutout to
Councillor George McDermott, a sentiment the Mayor echoed.
“Year after year after year, regardless of what else is going on, what other commitments he has,
[McDermott] has always done a stellar job of supporting our organization,” Passero said. “Even
in advance of tonight’s presentation, he’s already been working hard on the Rolodex and the
phone calls in garnering support for our cause.”
McDermott, in return, gave praise to his fellow councillors for their undying support of the cause,
assuring they too will be donating to the event. He also raved about the work Big Brothers Big
Sisters of South Niagara does, saying he “certainly appreciate[s]” their efforts and thinks having
the opportunity to mentor young people who may not have parental or sibling figures in their life
is “good work.”
McDermott ended the presentation on a light note, saying that Fort Erie will most certainly take
the trophy for most funds raised once again this year.
“I’m going to take you on making sure the trophy gets behind the Mayor there, so we can have it
on television every week,” he joked to Passero. “It’s the funkiest looking trophy that I’ve ever
seen.”
Donations for the event are open now until May 31
Locals looking to donate to the Move for Kids’ Sake fundraiser can visit
southniagara.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/event, email Celia Carr at
celia.carr@bigbrothersbigsisters.ca, or call 905-735-0570 ext. 221. Donations are being
accepted until May 31.
