Calling All Superheroes!
Put on those capes, grab your masks, and throw those fists in the air!
June 2, 2021
By: Emily Shaw
KidsAbility is hosting the annual Superhero Challenge and wants to see you and your family participate!
“Since in-person gatherings and events were cancelled due to COVID-19 in the spring of 2020, KidsAbility Foundation decided to build upon its past popular Superhero events and runs to create a virtual opportunity for the community,” says Deborah Barton, KidsAbility Foundation’s Senior Manager of Development. “The idea is to promote fundraising through superhero activities in a safe and effective manner – building collaborative and inclusive awareness about KidsAbility.”
Although the event has changed over the years becoming a Superhero Challenge last year as a result of COVID-19, since the late 1980s, community leaders and Rotary Club partners have hosted large-scale Superhero events and runs raising a cumulative total of $1,535,000 over 40 years. This has allowed KidsAbility to help more children, youth and families across Waterloo Region and Guelph-Wellington.
Bianca Gennaro, Development Associate of Community Engagement adds, “The Superhero Challenge started in 2020 as a way to continue our Superhero legacy in the community and to adapt with the current times. This year will be the second year of the Superhero Challenge with plans to continue the Challenge in 2022. We are very excited to announce that Linamar Corporation has joined us as our lead sponsor of the Challenge in 2021 and 2022!”
The Challenge will take place June 7-13 this year. On March 1, the KidsAbility Superhero Challenge website was launched, where you can register and begin fundraising. The goal this year is to raise $75,000!
Get Involved!
Here’s how you can suit up and take the Superhero Challenge:
- Register online - it’s free - and create your individual or team fundraising page!
- Set your own fundraising goal.
- Decide what your challenge will be (i.e. if I raise $250, I will walk 5km, time a race in my wheelchair, do 20 laps in sledge hockey, host a zoom dance party!)
- Ask family and friends to support your efforts by making a donation.
- Do your activity during the week of June 7-13, 2021
- Share your photo using the #Superheroes4KidsAbility
A donation to KidsAbility during the Superhero Challenge is encouraged by participants to give what they can and to ask friends and family to support their efforts. The Challenge allows KidsAbility to provide life-changing therapy, innovative programs and the latest technology to help children and youth with their families achieve great things at home, at school and in the community.
“The needs in our community continue to grow and demand for services exceeds our resources. Many children and youth must wait for the services they need. Funds raised help a child benefit sooner to say their first words, take their first step, hold a pencil or spoon or even learn how to make a new friend and participate fully in our community,” says Barton.
Gennaro adds, “We aim to promote an inclusive Regional effort across core communities of Guelph, Kitchener, Cambridge, Waterloo and Fergus, building community spirit, and boosting engagement in schools, companies, community leaders through the Superhero Challenge.”
Last year, over $25,000 was raised through the Superhero Challenge!
Barton and Gennaro love to hear participant stories on their fundraising pages. A story they remember was of Superhero Ella!
“KidsAbility has played an integral part of our little girl's life," says Diana Clipsham, KidsAbility parent of Ella. "For five years, Ella's therapists and other KidsAbility staff have played a huge role in Ella's well-being and provided such a caring and knowledgeable support system to the entire family. We enjoy each visit with her therapists as they help her to develop skills in such a fun and engaging way. It's so heartwarming to see her run over to give them hugs in the lobby at the start of a visit!"
Their family was looking forward to the 2.5 K family-run again this year but large gatherings are no longer possible.
"We will complete a local walk/run near home mid-June and will suit up in our full superhero gear for it! Our hope is to support KidsAbility to help fill the fundraising gap due to cancelled fundraising events. Please help us support such an incredible organization so other children may receive the same loving care and help Ella has been so lucky to have. We need Superheroes now more than ever,” says Clipsham.
Do you know a Superhero in your life? Make a donation in honour of them today.