MCCF Walk-a-thon gets families moving for youth empowerment

It’s a Sunday like no other for kids and families in Montreal’s NDG, at the annual walk-a-thon supporting youth-focused foundations, including the Montreal Community Cares Foundation (MCCF) and Red Rush Basketball.

“There’s homework. There’s all the academic part of things. You know, just how to be a good person at the end of the day. There’s a lot of training other than basketball that’s implemented within the program. And I think it helps the kids grow overall, not just one way. So that’s a big, big portion of why I’ve been here for five years and why I want to continue to support as well,” said Sanel Sehic, a coach with Red Rush Basketball.

Marilyn Ramlakhan, a mother partaking in the walk saying, “For my daughter, it has given her the self-confidence, really to be out there as a young girl, teenager growing up, and it’s also given her discipline with her school and just to be a good person and to give back to the community was very important for me and a value that I’ve been still in her since she was a little kid.”

The walk brought together families, coaches, athletes, and community partners — all raising funds to help kids get active, support youth leadership programs, and provide equipment and training to communities that need it most.

“Our goal is really to raise $150,000. That’s our goal. The reason why we put it at that is because the kids and the families need support. To play a sport, to have an experience through the sport, meaning having an opportunity to travel, having an opportunity to go to a different city, have the opportunity to train and train properly. Not to mention this academic support that comes along with it. It’s so important. So we want to raise funds so that all that cost is not burdened on just the families,” said Denburk Reid, the Founder & CEO of MCCF.

“This is also a great opportunity for fathers to walk with their sons, walk with their daughters. As fathers we don’t usually get the mother’s day type of celebration, but I feel like sports is a great way to kick off fathers day in a nice walk and some music.”

After the walk, the fun kept going with family-friendly activities like a bouncy castle, basketball games, relay races, and more.

“Like my mom said, it gives me discipline. So in school and in basketball, if I want to continue in sports, I have to do good in school, so it’s like a mix in both. So I have good studies, play good in basketball, and I just keep up with that,” said Sarah Faith, a participant with her mother.

Organizers say the goal is to get kids off screens and into sports — helping boost their health, confidence, and connection to the community.

“Every year we’ve seen more kids come through and obviously grow, not only as basketball players, but as children and obviously as young adults. And we’re just excited to keep seeing them grow and keep pushing,” said Sehic.