The Pictou YMCA has raised $31,000 and counting at time of writing, from its first inaugural Megathon held Saturday at the Pictou County Wellness Centre.
Money raised from the all-day Megathon will pay for after-school activities, day camps, membership assistance, youth leadership, health and fitness, the Walk and Roll and palliative care programs and other free initiatives planned for the summer and fall.
“There’s two reasons why it’s important: first, to bring so many people together to celebrate fitness and celebrate belonging and being part of the community and the other thing is to raise funds for volunteer programs for our community within Pictou County,” said the YMCA’s Jim Pomeroy.
As he spoke, fitness coach Theresa Hawkes stood on a stage and led a big group of locals in a “pound” fitness workout. Participants held bright green sticks as they worked out their arms, legs and cores to thumping pop music.
Different activities were held every hour in the YMCA’s gym, pool and cycle fit studio. Classes themselves were 45 minutes each and participants were free to set their own personal goals and choose their activities.
Meantime, pledge money kept piling up on Saturday – to the delight of Pomeroy and his YMCA colleagues.
“We’re still counting all of our pledges and we’re really excited to see where we end up,” Pomeroy told The News.
Just like its sister chapters worldwide, the Pictou County YMCA aims to promote body, mind and spiritual growth in people, as well as their responsibilities to their local community and worldwide.
The YMCA’s global headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland, but was founded in 1844 by George Williams in London, England. Local chapters exist across North and Central America, Africa and Hong Kong.
For more information on YMCA activities, volunteer roles and paid employment, please visit http://www.pcymca.ca/index.php. People can also call the front desk at 902-752-0202 or email [email protected].
