The most important fundraiser for the Nipissing Association for Disabled Youth (NADY) is taking to the airways on 100.5 KISS FM next Thursday.
Kevin Oschefski will be hosting “Kevin’s Longest Morning” for the eighth year now, but this is the 17th year that the Rotary Club and NADY have been involved in a radio-a-thon to help fund the program.
Oschefski says every year the event becomes very emotional.
“Whenever I stay up for that length of time I get that way anyways. The more you tell the stories of the kids and the family and you talk about how they have benefitted from the donations it gets you,” he said.
“There are some instances where some of these kids were not necessarily born with these special needs they developed. As a parent, who is to say, anybody’s life can be turned upside down in a moment. It’s a great thing that everybody in the community should be really proud of.”
This year the event will begin on March 28 at Canadian Tire on McKeown Avenue where today’s Longest Morning launch was held.
Last year the event was hosted at Northgate Shopping Centre.
The final morning will move from Canadian Tire to Burgerworld on Hammond Street on March 29 from 7 to 10 a.m. where the final fundraising totals will be announced.
Gage Colnar, a grade two student at St. Hubert’s school, is this year’s Rotary4Kids Ambassador. His mother, Shayna Desjardins says NADY has become such an important part of her son’s life.
“Gage is a pretty typical kid in all other aspects, aside from the wheelchair, so NADY provides opportunities for him to experience things like skiing and horseback riding like any other typical kid would, but in a different ability,” said Shayna.
Jim Stewart, the NADY president, is not afraid to admit that this fundraiser is a critical part of their operation.
“Without this fundraiser and Rotary, most of what our kids are doing would not happen,” he said.
“We would have to find something else or another fundraiser to do. We give the kids the opportunity to do things that maybe there was a roadblock before, but we try to break down barriers, we want them to get out.”
Jeff Rogerson is the Rotary4Kids Chair. He says over the years the combined totals of money raised in the community has broken the million dollar mark.
“It puts some pressure on us but we appreciate that and we understand that. We have an important role, but keep in mind this is not Rotary’s money. Our role is to get out to the community, knock on doors, make phone calls, promote and let people know that there are kids like Gage who live in this town who really need their assistance.”
Donations can be made online now at www.rotary4kids.ca, www.longestmorning.ca or during the broadcast next week by calling (705) 499-3109. You can also visit in person on both mornings to make a personal donation on the site at Canadian Tire on Thursday or at Burgerworld on Hammond on Friday morning.
