Jack Newton presented the YMCA of Okanagan with a cheque for $3,400 to benefit local children and youth who need a helping hand to access Y child care, employment, health, fitness, aquatics and leadership programs.

Proceeds from the 10th Annual Big Jack鈥檚 Annual Golf Tournament held at the Black Mountain Golf Course supported both the YMCA鈥檚 Strong Kids Campaign and the Norbert Heinzelman Memorial Award.

For YMCA Manager of Child Care, Danielle Miranda, these funds will change lives for many Okanagan families.

鈥淲e see kids in our centres everyday who don鈥檛 have anywhere else to go after school and during school breaks,鈥� said Miranda. 鈥淭hese kids need support systems, access to early learning, and positive role models to look up to while their parents do their best to put food on the table every night.鈥�

And the need is great; one in three children enrolled in the Y鈥檚 Child Care and Day Camp programs are only able to participate because of the financial subsidy provided to their family through the Y鈥檚 Strong Kids Campaign.

鈥淭his was the 10th year I have hosted the Big Jack鈥檚 Open and the 5th year the proceeds have supported the Y鈥檚 Strong Kids Campaign,鈥� said Jack Newton. 鈥淚 will continue to put on the tournament for as long as I can as it鈥檚 my way to give back to the community I love, grew up in and gave me a great life. I would do anything to put a smile on any kids face and help to make their life better and happier.鈥�

The YMCA relies on community support to ensure quality programs are accessible to all. To learn more about the YMCA Strong Kids Campaign, please visit .