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Yesterday, more than 300 hardworking children from all over Sault Ste. Marie and area raised $42,519.66 for Rotary Youth Projects at the Bell Celebrity Skate & Swim presented by Agero!
This year’s top individual fundraiser was Joshua Hales, who raised $2,519.30 and won a Xbox One – 1 TB.
“We are ecstatic that the skate has now raised over $1 million dollars!” announced event Co-Chair and Rotarian Rodger Rosset who credited the achievement to the “amazing effort by all the participants and teams since 1996.”
“While Rotary charitable work benefits from this fundraising, so do all of the qualifying teams, as 50% goes back to them to help with whatever needs they have,” Rosset explained, “The Bell Skate & Swim presented by Agero is a true win-win situation for all involved! But the highlight of my evening is to see all those smiles on the little faces as they skate with their heroes, the Soo Greyhounds. Thank you to our sponsors, Bell and Agero, and to Sault Ste. Marie, for supporting the kids, the teams, and Rotary’s charitable work.”
Easter Seals families are invited to attend, including one of the biggest Soo Greyhounds fans and past Easter Seals Ambassador, Billy Adam. “The excitement on each of our children’s faces is priceless… the fact that all three kids get to attend and participate is incredible,” shared Billy’s mother, Ivy, “Easter Seals and Rotary seem to focus on inclusion and it warms our hearts!”
“It’s a great activity for the kids to get everybody together and not have it just be hockey – they get to fool around, and play, and see kids from past teams,” shared Marcel, whose child has been attending the event for the past six years. “They love the Greyhounds, so it’s a big deal for them. A player on our team last year won the big prize -the Xbox, and my kid won box seats at the greyhound game. This is an amazing fundraiser. Fun is had by all. And to see all different ages and from different teams just having a good time is pretty cool.” Marcel’s team went on to place as the top fundraising team, winning a pool party.
The Rotary Club of Sault Ste. Marie has been an active part of the community since 1918. Its primary charitable mandate is to offer support to children with physical disabilities. This is done in close partnership with Easter Seals Ontario through fundraising projects such as the ROTARYFEST Take Your Pick Car Draw, Snowarama, TD Canada Trust Change for Change in the Lives of Easter Seals Kids, Easter Seals Telethon, and Battle of the Sections. The Club also supports community-building events like ROTARYFEST the Sault’s Summer Festival, Student Exchange programs, Rotary Science Fair – Algoma presented by Tenaris, and the Sault Ste. Marie Sports Awards dinner.