Fundraising

(Niagara Falls, ON) May 9^th – Today, members of the KO for KIDS committee, are pleased to announce a grand total of $107,585 raised in support of Children’s Mental Health and Childhood Cancer.

On Friday, April 12^th, amateur boxers from across the Niagara Region joined forces at the the 3^rd annual KO for Kids event at the Scotiabank Convention Center (SCCN). ALL Proceeds from are being directed to Pathstone Mental Health and Box Run Charitable Foundation, both of which support children and families across Niagara.

This year, we were sold out a month before event night. Our team of boxers truly brought their “A-game” and heart to the table through their training and fundraising efforts. Many dove into a strict training regime, dropping pounds and inches and improving their overall athleticism.

With this week being Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, we found it fitting to announce this total as well as stress the need for immediate mental health support in Niagara. We know that when a family is struggling with a cancer diagnosis, their mental health and wellness also become a major factor in their journey.
Kim Rossi, KO for KIDS Co-Founder & Director of Philanthropy & PR at Pathstone

Sanctioned by Boxing Ontario, KO for Kids 2019 featured 21 boxing matches, ranging in various weight classes, skill levels and divisions. Competitors met weekly to train in groups and one-on-one with Former Olympian and Professional Boxers Mike Strange and Billy Irwin in preparation for their fights.

This was the first true sell-out year. We added as many tables that the space could allow in order to ensure we didn’t have any disappointed fans. The team at Scotiabank Convention Centre have been hosting this event each year and have committed to KO for KIDS 2020, a date will be announced in the coming months.

“We couldn’t be more excited to support such a great event for these amazing charities,” said Noel Buckley, President of SCCN. “We take no short cuts in how we prep and execute events and as a result, we were thrilled to provide a 5 star experience to those in attendance.”

For more information about KO for KIDS and the causes it supports visit:

• www.pathstonefoundation.ca
• www.koforkids.ca
• www.boxrun.org

Announcement of KO for KIDS 2020 coming soon!

About KO for Kids

KO for Kids is an annual boxing charitable event that takes place “in the round” at the Scotiabank Convention Centre in Niagara Falls, Canada in support of Pathstone Mental Health, Ronald McDonald House and Stem Cell Research.

Sanctioned by Boxing Ontario, KO for Kids features a stacked card of amateur boxing matches, ranging in various weight classes, skill levels and divisions. Competitors participate in a rigorous training schedule with Former Olympian and Professional Boxers Mike Strange and Billy Irwin in preparation for their fights.

About Pathstone Mental Health

Pathstone Mental Health is a community-based organization whose mission it is to provide innovative and effective treatment for all children in Niagara diagnosed with mental health issues. Thanks to support from our donors and volunteers, we are able to address and meet the needs of children and their families as the only accredited provider of mental health services for children in Niagara. Crisis Services are offered 24/7 by calling 1-800-263-4944.

About BoxRun Charitable Foundation

On May 8th, 2014, BoxRun started fundraising activities. Our founder, 3-time Olympian and Commonwealth Champion boxer Mike Strange ran a marathon a day for 94 days from St. John’s, Newfoundland, to his hometown of Niagara Falls, Ontario. Since then, BoxRun has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for cancer research and family support services.

BoxRun Charitable Foundation is a 100% volunteer charity focused on raising funds through athletic activity events. We place donations made by you directly with Childhood Cancer researchers and Childhood Cancer family support services.

Media Contact:

Chris Dabrowski
High Impact PR
Phone: (289) 241-4164 e. chris@highimpactpr.ca

Or

Kim Rossi
Pathstone Foundation – Director of Philanthropy & PR
289.969.8342 e. krossi@pathstone.ca

Funds raised will support play therapy for children who have experienced trauma

(Above Photo: Students and emcees (from left)  Olivia Johnson and Holly Calvert,  coordinator of NC’s Event Management program Christine Blaine, and director of philanthropy at Pathstone Mental Health Kim Rossi.)

Students and faculty from Niagara College’s Event Management program celebrated the successful completion of their 2019 Many Hands Project with a donation for mental health services in Niagara.

As a result of this year’s Many Hands Project, $40,800 was donated to Pathstone Mental Health – a community-based organization that provides innovative and effective treatment for all children in Niagara diagnosed with mental health issues. The funds were announced at a Many Hands Project reveal ceremony held at Branscombe Mental Health Centre in St. Catharines on April 15. The donation included $35,858 raised by NC student fundraisers and $5,000 from Canadian Tire Bank, a sponsor and long-time supporter of NC’s Many Hands Project.

“Mental health services are integral to the Niagara community and we are proud to support Pathstone through this year’s Many Hands Project,” said Damian Goulbourne, associate dean of NC’s School of Hospitality, Tourism and Sport. “The Many Hands Project gives our Event Management students the opportunity to make significant contributions to the community while applying their skills and knowledge to the real-world event industry. I applaud what our students were able to achieve through their efforts and creativity in hosting a series of unique and engaging events.”

Kim Rossi, director of philanthropy and public relations at Pathstone Foundation, noted that the funds will be used to support play therapy – a type of psychotherapy which involves using toys as words and play as the primary mode of communication. Used with children who have experienced trauma, play therapy allows children to express their inner worlds and work through problems, in the presence of a caring adult who has been trained to understand metaphors, play patterns, and how to interact with the child in a way that creates safety and change.

“We are so grateful for the gift the NC students have given us this year. Non-profit organizations need events like those organized through the Many Hands Project to be able to hit their fundraising goals,” said Rossi. “We thought the events the students organized were really well put together from start to finish. We were impressed by the way the NC events team supported one another, paid extra attention to guests as they arrived and provided a five-star experience to attendees.”

Through their involvement in the Many Hands Project, students not only had the opportunity to contribute to the community but gained valuable real-world experience in their chosen industry. They raised funds and awareness for Pathstone by organizing and hosting a series of events including a Designer Handbag Bingo (March 29), Rise and Shine Yoga (March 24), Turntable Trivia (March 29) and Taps Apps and Laughs comedy show (April 4). With no budget, students built all aspects of their campaign, from venue selection, sponsorship and fundraising, to social media, marketing and execution.

Student Olivia Johnson noted that she values the extensive training she is gaining in the program. “It allows you the opportunity to have hands-on learning throughout the entire year as we plan and execute each of the events for the Many Hands Project,” she said. “You are given real-world experience throughout the process of planning the event.”

“The opportunity to apply what we are learning in the classrooms directly to the fundraising events through the Many Hands Project is very unique,” said student Leah Letford, who was honoured with a Student Leadership Award from  Festivals and Event Ontario earlier this year.

Each year, the College’s Many Hands Project supports a different Niagara-based non-profit organization with fundraising, marketing and increasing public awareness. NC has been committed to the Many Hands Project since its launch in 1998, and has made a lasting impact on the Niagara region over the past two decades,  thanks to the creative efforts of students and faculty, and community support for local non-profits. Visit niagaracollege.ca/manyhands.

Sponsors of the 2019 Many Hands Project include Canadian Tire Bank, The Tribune, The Standard, Niagara Falls Review, YourTV Niagara, Sullivan Mahoney LLP Lawyers, and Boston Pizza.

Event Management is a one-year graduate certificate program at Niagara College that prepares graduates for a career in a fast-paced and multi-faceted industry. Students develop skills in planning and logistics, public relations, marketing and sponsorship strategies, and volunteer and risk management in a highly experiential learning environment. 

Niagara College offers more than 130 diploma, bachelor degree and advanced level programs; as well as more than 600 credit, vocational and general interest Part-Time Studies courses. Areas of specialization include food and wine sciences, advanced technology, media, applied health and community safety, supported by unique learning enterprises in food, wine, beer, horticulture and esthetics. For more information visit niagaracollege.ca.