Montreal youth fundraiser warns of importance of keeping kids in sports
It's not just a warm up. Before the game. On Sunday, Montrealer started walking from George Saint Pierre Park in NDG for the well-being of youths. We believe in putting the kids on a pathway to success through sports and academics. Every year, the Montreal Community Cares Foundation hosts a day of play and a walkathon to raise funds for their services. The money goes towards renting gyms, buying uniforms, paying coaches and allowing youths to participate in tournaments. Cost of everything has risen and so we're doing try to do our best to help kids and families to be able to get back into the game. As the organization grows, offering youth places to play and be mentored becomes increasingly important. Since COVID, kids been going down the wrong path, not playing anymore more under devices. The bullying is at an all time high just because of social media as well. Chris Joseph thinks spending his childhood on the court helped him tremendously. Kept me and my friends out of trouble because it gave us somewhere to go. It gave us a place to grow as as young men to spend some energy so that we don't have any more energy to do anything else. The event also raises money for the Red Rush basketball program, which provides students with training, life, mentorships and academic discipline. It's opened her up to a whole bunch of different things that she went to have seen before. She has a sense of pride. I felt at home with Red Rush and it's been, it's helped me build my confidence. Skills the fundraiser is hoping to raise $100,000 by the end of June to make sure the whole community is uplifted. I think it takes a village to raise kids, not just a single household. So a single, you know, I think a village everyone here to help bring brings direction and helps God's kids and and a smart path, I guess. Global News Montreal.