In June 2014 the Calgary Flames Foundation launched the Flames YMCA Grade 6 Program. This will be the sixth year of the program that offers free YMCA memberships to all grade 6 students in Calgary. The program has already provided 21,451 students with free memberships and active programming through special events and "Flames Friday" programming hosted every week at YMCA branches across Calgary. This brings the total investment by the Calgary Flames Foundation to $2.25 million for the program.
"We could not be more excited to announce the extension of this commitment to the Flames YMCA Grade 6 Program," said Jeff McCaig, Chair of the Calgary Flames Foundation. "Since we teamed up with the Y, we have watched this program transform the lives of the students involved. We know this is a critical age for youth and along with the YMCA we want this program to help students make healthy decisions."
"YMCA Calgary values our Calgary Flames partnership tremendously," said Shannon Doram, President and CEO of YMCA Calgary. "Thanks to the Flames' ongoing generosity we are giving young people an opportunity to connect, challenge themselves, gain confidence and develop lifelong healthy living habits."
During the tenure of the program grade six members have already spent over 55,000 hours in over 3,500 registered programs. Each year the program has grown in membership to allow students to try activities and sports they may not have otherwise, while meeting new people and improving physical literacy. Members of the program have full access to programs offered at the YMCA.
To sign up a Grade 6 member, please visit any YMCA Calgary location with a Grade 5 report card.
The Calgary Flames Foundation strives to improve the lives of southern Albertans through support of health and wellness, education and grassroots and amateur sports programming. Since inception the Calgary Flames Foundation has donated over $36 million to southern Alberta charities.
YMCA Calgary is a charity dedicated to building healthy communities. For 117 years, YMCA Calgary has been committed to nurturing the potential of children, youth and families, promoting healthy living and fostering social responsibility within the community
