Funding boost for Right To Play’s Indigenous youth program
- News, Article
Right To Play received the very first Postcode Lottery funding award to be made in Canada. The Canadian Postcode Lottery Foundation presented a $10,000 cheque to Right To Play at a special International Day of Play event in Toronto this week.
Picture: Canadian Postcode Lottery Foundation’s Judith Lingeman & Mary Ann MacKenzie presented the cheque at an International Day of Play event in Toronto to the team of Right To Play. From left to right: Jason Jackson (Right To Play), Judith Lingeman, Corinne Frenzel (Right To Play), Mary Ann MacKenzie and Rachel Crook (Right To Play).
The grant will support Right To Play’s Youth Leadership Symposium. This program, running this summer, is specially designed to support and empower Indigenous children and young people throughout Ontario and help them build life skills.
Combining business with ideals to support charities
The Canadian Postcode Lottery Foundation is part of the Postcode Lottery Group. The Postcode Lottery Group combines business with ideals, initiating and operating charity lotteries to contribute to make the world a better place for everyone. The Foundation runs events and activities with the aim of strengthening Ontario’s charitable third sector community. Its long-term ambition is to establish a Postcode Lottery in the Canadian market and raise vital funds for charities and organizations working to make a lasting difference also in Ontario.
Right To Play celebrates funding boost and first International Day of Play
Right To Play’s National Director Susan Vardon, says: “We had no idea we’d have two amazing reasons to celebrate! Hosting the inaugural International Day of Play event was exciting and then receiving this gift from the Postcode Lottery certainly made for a day to remember. This funding will boost this summer’s Youth Leadership Symposium, helping Indigenous children and young people build vital skills, advocate for their well-being and needs of their peers and, importantly, take on community leadership roles.”
Right to Play uses games, sport, poetry, dance, and all forms of play to help children and youth learn, grow and succeed. This international charity is already supported by Postcode Lottery players in the Netherlands and Great Britain.
As well as seeing the first Postcode Lottery cheque presented to a charity making a difference in Ontario, Tuesday 11 June 2024 also marked the first ever International Day of Play. Championed by long-term Postcode Lottery charity partner, Right To Play, the day aims to spotlight the importance of play in a child’s life and development.
Canadian Postcode Lottery Foundation director, Mary Ann MacKenzie adds: “We had an inspiring and educational visit to Right To Play in Toronto – made doubly special by presenting this wonderful organization with a cheque on the inaugural International Day of Play. This money will help empower children and young people within Ontario’s Indigenous communities and is made possible thanks to the Postcode Lottery Group in Europe. I hope this is the first of many Postcode Lottery cheques to come for Canada’s charity sector.”