Another smashing year for Kilometres for Kids

North Bay Rotary Members Natalie MacDougall, Helen Antebi, Tom Cook get ready to earn their pledges for the annual 'Kilometres for Kids' on Saturday at the North Bay Nordic Ski Club. Photos and story submitted.

The Rotary Club of North Bay hosted the annual Kilometres for Kids on Saturdayat the North Bay Nordic Ski Club where they raised $3,000 in three hours.

Every dollar raised from the event goes towards the Rotary for Kids program. The Rotary for Kids program helps provide disabled youth and their families in the area with resources and equipment such as wheelchairs, sports equipment or access ramps, in order to make their lives as normal as possible.

This year the club has set its fund raising goal at $3,000, and invited all Rotarian skiers to participate, collect pledges and bring a friend or another family member to enjoy the day. Event organizers say it's a low impact morning of skiing or snowshoeing with participants determining their own distance on the trails.

To participate in the event a $10 donation per person is required, or people can gather pledges totalling $10 or more. For every $50 collected, the participant's name is entered in the draw.

Snow shoes and skis were made available at the club for folks who want to participate but don't have equipment.

Once again there was a Crepe Breakfast by Nordic's Chef Michel Chartrand, with proceeds donated to the Rotary's Kilometres for Kids. The breakfast runs in conjunction with the event and raised $408 in Crepe sales. New this year was the school challenge, thanks to Kurt Tempelmans Plat, from ecole secondaire pubique odysee collected pledges to help top off this year’s results. Plus Lorraine Conway brought 13 students that held a birthday party purchasing crepes, participating in skiing and donated to this year’s Kilometres for kids stating that she will be back next year!

Kilometres for Kids chair Angela Johnston and a member of the North Bay Rotary Club, was pleased with this year’s results. "This year’s total along with our past 23 years has helped raise over $58,000 to help local disable youth and their families, all thanks to volunteers, sponsors and donations”.

We look forward to seeing everyone again next year!