Not all heroes wear capes, but community members are invited to dress up for a good cause next month.
On Sept. 21, the Child and Youth Advocacy Centre of Simcoe/Muskoka (CYAC) will hold its inaugural Super Hike for Heroes, which will raise money to support the agency’s programming and services.
“We wanted to celebrate the bravery of our youngest heroes,” said Louise Jones, fund development manager with the CYAC.
Those heroes are the youth who come forward with stories of abuse they’ve suffered. Since the local CYAC opened in 2014, more than 1,000 forensic interviews have been conducted at its facility in Orillia.
The CYAC had previously been the recipient of money that was raised during the Sun City Swim, but Jones said the agency wanted to create an event that was more accessible to the broader community. So, the Super Hike for Heroes was born.
Money raised will help the CYAC provide its four core programs: child and family advocates, who provide support to kids younger than 12; youth advocates, who are trained to support those who are 12 to 24 years old; PAWSitive support, which includes the centre’s two service dogs; and abuse awareness, which provides information and resources to help people prevent, recognize and report abuse.
The Super Hike for Heroes will begin at the Leacock Museum at 3 p.m., but participants are welcome to show up at 2 for face painting, photos and other activities before trekking to Tudhope Park and back.
When they return to the museum, activities will resume, and food and drinks will be provided.
“We’re hoping to get a lot of the community involved,” Jones said.
Participants are welcome to sign up as individuals or teams and are asked to raise at least $50 in pledges.
The CYAC is also looking for a “superhero sponsor” — a title sponsor — for the event.
For more information, including pledge forms and sponsorship opportunities, click here.
