Community Support Drives Y Communities Thrive Campaign To 61% of Goal Member Update

More than $268,000 raised to help create access and opportunity across Eastern Ontario

August 25, 2026 – Eastern Ontario – Four months after launching its 2026 Y Communities Thrive Campaign, the YMCA of Eastern Ontario has raised more than $268,000 toward its $440,000 goal — reaching 61 per cent of its annual campaign target.

Funds raised through Y Communities Thrive help remove financial barriers and create access to YMCA programs and services across the region, from summer camp and youth programs to food security, aquatics, housing and community outreach.

“Y Communities Thrive is about making sure everyone has the opportunity to participate, connect and reach their full potential,” said Rob Adams, CEO of the YMCA of Eastern Ontario. “To be at 61 per cent of our goal is a tremendous reflection of the generosity of our communities and, more importantly, it means we are opening doors for more children, families and individuals across our region.”

Community comes together through sport

The YMCA’s Y Communities Thrive Pickleball Tournament and inaugural Hoops for Good 3x3 Basketball Tournament also brought the community together this summer, raising more than $30,000 combined in support of Y Communities Thrive.

The YMCA gratefully recognizes R&M Mechanical, JCA Electric, MicroAge, FDF Group, Chevron Construction, Kingston Plate & Window, Hudson Burnbrae Foundation, Phillips, Wright & Associates – RBC Dominion Securities, Bird Richard Lawyers for Employers, Jay Rayner – Assante Wealth Management, Houle Plumbing & Heating, the YMCA of Eastern Ontario Board of Directors, Brockville Hyundai and the Brockville Blazers for helping make the tournaments possible.

2026 Pickleball Tournament Champions

• Women’s Division: Reina McDowell and Kim Curtain
• Men’s Division: Derek O’Brien and Yogesh Rattan
• Mixed Division: David Bolger and Tara Macari

2026 Hoops for Good Champions

• U12 Boys: Knicks
• U14 Boys: ONL
• U10 Girls: Potato Chips
• U12 Girls: Hawks

Investing in summer 2027

Community generosity is also helping the YMCA prepare for next summer. In July, Cynthia Peters and Brian Ford, owners of Maison Maitland, hosted the inaugural East Coast Summer Picnic, featuring a dinner prepared by celebrated Canadian chef Jamie Kennedy.

The evening raised more than $38,000 specifically to help launch a new, free mobile Work Hard Eat Well summer camp in Leeds and Grenville in 2027. These funds are separate from the 2026 Y Communities Thrive Campaign total and will help provide children with recreation, healthy meals, food skills and connection at no cost to participating families.

“We are incredibly grateful to every donor, sponsor, volunteer and participant who has chosen to invest in the Y and in their community,” said Adams. “We have made tremendous progress, but there is more work ahead. Together, we can continue removing barriers and building communities where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.”

Donations to the Y Communities Thrive Campaign will be accepted through the end of the year. For more information or to donate, visit eo.ymca.ca.

About the YMCA of Eastern Ontario

The YMCA of Eastern Ontario is a charity that provides programs and services to improve health and health outcomes, develops leaders, helps build social connections and provides safe, inclusive spaces for people of all ages and backgrounds. The Y is Ontario’s largest provider of childcare with trademarked curricula and offers fitness and other specialized programs including Work Hard Eat Well and Total Life Care. eo.ymca.ca

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Media Contact:
Emily Wimpenny
Director, Philanthropy and Communications
YMCA of Eastern Ontario
Emily.wimpenny@eo.ymca.ca
613-802-8887