The YMCA of Hamilton Burlington Brantford has launched its annual Spring Giving Campaign with a target of raising $90,000 to help send kids to camp this summer season.

The YMCA intends to raise a total of $90,000 through two connected campaigns by May 31. The YMCA’s “Fill the Bus” campaign aims to raise $65,000 to send 224 children to YMCA Day Camps this summer. Additionally, YMCA Wanakita is raising $25,000 for its Camper Assistance Fund to help young people, families, and school groups attend overnight camp. The funds will help remove financial barriers and enable children to enjoy the confidence, friendships, and sense of belonging that camp experiences provide.

The requests for financial assistance have doubled compared to 2025. In 2025, donor support helped more than 350 children attend YMCA Day Camps and Beyond the Bell programs, while nearly 400 children, families, and school groups attended YMCA Wanakita. In 2026, YMCA Wanakita received twice as many requests for financial aid and three times as many requests for Family Camp support.

The fundraising efforts are part of the YMCA’s larger “The Y Saves Lives” campaign, which aims to help more people live healthy, connected, and meaningful lives. The campaign aims to raise $25 million so that the YMCA can expand its services and grow from helping 270,000 people to 550,000 people. You can learn more about the campaign here.

Source: FlamboroughToday