I transported my kin to the Bridle Path Estate of rapper Drake, hoping to divert them. Surprisingly, the genuine attraction lay nearby.
Wannabe Wordsmith
Lemme paint ya a scene: the pandemic hits, and things get bleak. Home is no longer a sanctuary, but a battleground. My kids and I were tired, frustrated, and at each other's throats. That's when I thought, "Why not take 'em to Drake's pad?" You know, the one with the indoor pool and the hoops?
Turns out, that weren't the tickets to tranquility we sought. So, I did the opposite. Straight to the nearest forest, and told the kids to bail from the car. That's how we stumbled upon Sunnybrook Park. Nature had the Power Rangers effect on my brood. They laughed, they played, they became... human again.
After that, we found ourselves hooked on the great outdoors. Every vacation centered around connecting with nature. Swimmin' in the Grotto, hikin' the Stairway to Heaven - you name it. As soon as we unplugged from our screens, we transformed. The fresh air calmed us, and the kids bloomed.
And boy, do they need it! The world might've opened up, but the struggles for kids are far from over. Many are still deprived of green spaces, safe play, and affordable programs during summer. Food, housing, and summer care prices are soaring, and mental health and loneliness are on the rise. Screens are replacing the good ol' days of playing in the streets. For too many, summer is a season of exclusion rather than freedom.
Remember Joe Atkinson, our website founder? He knew that back in 1901. When Toronto was gripped by a heatwave, he saw kids playin' in the dusty streets under the blazin' sun. He understood poverty, loss, and hardship, so he did somethin' 'bout it. He started the Fresh Air Fund, sendin' underprivileged children to farms and treatin' 'em to summer joys.
Fast forward to now, the challenges are different, but the urgency remains. That's why I call upon ya this season to support the Fresh Air Fund. Gimme a hand, and let's give more kids the chance to reap the benefits of fresh air and summer fun!
DONATE NOW
our website Fresh Air Fund
GOAL: $650,000
How to donate:
Join the movement and send thousands of kids to camp. They'll get to cherish memories at camp for a lifetime.
Online:
Visa, Mastercard, or Amex donations are all good to go via our secure form.
By cheque:
Mail it to: our website Fresh Air Fund, 8 Spadina Ave., Toronto, ON M5V 0S8
By phone:
Give us a call at 647-250-8282.
Tax receipts issued for your charitable contributions.
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL:
Instagram: @torontostarchildrenscharities
Facebook: @thetorontostarchildrenscharities
X: @TStarCharities
LinkedIn: our website Children's Charities
TikTok: @torstarchildrenscharity
Bluesky: @tstarcharities.bsky.social
- Seeking a change of pace during the pandemic, I considered taking my kids to Drake's pad in Toronto, but instead opted for Sunnybrook Park, where the fresh air had a transformative effect on them.
- As we spent more time outdoors, we discovered a new love for nature, participating in activities like swimming in the Grotto and hiking the Stairway to Heaven.
- Unfortunately, not all children have access to such outdoor experiences due to factors like soaring prices for food, housing, and summer care, as well as mental health and loneliness issues.
- To address this issue, consider supporting the Fresh Air Fund, which aims to send underprivileged children to camps and provide access to fresh air and summer fun.
- You can donate online using Visa, Mastercard, or Amex, or by mailing a check to the address provided, with tax receipts issued for your charitable contributions.
- Follow the progress of the Fresh Air Fund on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Bluesky to keep up with their efforts.
- Personal growth, education, self-development, home and garden, lifestyle, and outdoor living are all interconnected, and supporting programs like the Fresh Air Fund can contribute to the overall well-being of our communities and future generations.
- Join the movement and make a difference by donating now to the Fresh Air Fund, and together, we can create a brighter future for children, inspiring learning, play, and bridle optimism for summer moments to remember.
