It was a record-breaking year for a foundation whose sole purpose is helping children.
The Windsor Essex Care for Kids Foundation, or W.E. Care for Kids, completed its year-long fundraising campaign Friday with a luncheon at the Caboto Club in Windsor. The campaign's sponsors presented their cheques toward the fundraiser, and foundation president Mike Brain told BlackburnNewsWindsor.com it was an effort for the ages.
"It's $500,000, which is our largest ever," said Brain. "We're excited and it's great to see it. We were getting donations from $50 for kids' birthday parties and lemonade stands, all the way up to over $100,000 cheque presentations today."
2018 was the 21st year for W.E. Care for Kids. The first campaign in 1997 was meant to be a one-year project, but with a great need for paediatric services in Windsor-Essex, it has been brought year after year. The first year raised $30,000 for the cause, and 2017 brought in $430,000. According to their official website, 80 per cent of what is raised goes directly to paediatric programs.
Brain said he was overwhelmed by the ongoing generosity of people in Windsor-Essex.
"From five-year-olds to adults to corporations, everybody's jumped on board in really supporting our cause for paediatric care in Windsor-Essex County," said Brain. "You can't say enough about this community, how great they are, how supportive, and how they open their wallets up for us every year."
Among the agencies and groups benefiting from the money raised by W.E. Care for Kids are the John McGivney Centre, Windsor-Essex's three major hospital systems, the Windsor-Essex Therapeutic Riding Association (WETRA), the Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario (LDAO), and the Ronald McDonald House Windsor.
The W.E. Care for Kids official website provides complete information on their fundraising initiatives and the ways people can donate.
