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Hundreds participate in annual dragon boat festival

August 20, 2013   ·   0 Comments

By Jeff Doner

Hundreds of amped up and enthusiastic participants and spectators were out for the Toromont CAT Dragon Boat Festival for the United Way York Region at Seneca College King Campus this past Saturday.
An incredible 28 teams representing different municipalities, community groups, sponsors and businesses from all over York Region dug deep and wildly paddled their way to the finish line to help raise $120,000 and awareness in support of United Way in the community.
But it’s just the start of a much larger campaign that has many excited about the challenge, as United Way York Region CEO Daniele Zanotti enthusiastically announced a three-year campaign goal to raise $30 million.
“Historic, bold, ambitious, never been done before and scary as heck goal, but so necessary in our growing region,” Zanotti said to a raucous crowd before the races. “We have an unprecedented opportunity to change lives in our neighbourhoods, not only for this year, but for decades to come.
“Imagine a network of care and support in every neighbourhood – Vaughan or King, Whitchurch-Stouffville, Georgina, East Gwillimbury, Markham, Newmarket, Richmond Hill or Aurora. In three years we will know we have succeeded when people and families in municipalities across this region can say, ‘there is help in my neighbourhood.’”
According to the United Way, last year they helped 28,557 children and youth with educational and recreational supports, after school programs, leadership counseling and more. Assisted 12,523 people find jobs, access housing, and secure food and helped 40,014 people access essential services in their own neighbourhood.
King Mayor Steve Pellegrini was also on hand for the event and was thrilled with the community reaction and support for the event.
“The enthusiasm for the annual event has built up not only within the Township of King, but surrounding areas,” he said in a release. “Teams from all over have come together to participate in this friendly and spirited competition, to raise money for the United Way of York Region and to enjoy an amazing day of dragon boat racing.”
Although the day’s events were about having fun and raising awareness, Zanotti reiterated the dire need for services and help within York Region.
“The demand for social services is outgrowing the supply,” she said. “What makes a neighbourhood great, more than roads, sewers and stores are places where people can go get involved and find the help they need. We know that communities with formal and informal support have better health, higher educational achievement, better economical growth and lower crimes rates. We know that with friends like you, we can make our great neighbourhoods in this region even greater for all.”

         

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