User:Davisr1/sandbox

YXE FRFF

'''YXE First Responder Fitness Festival

The conceptual purpose of the event is to provide a positive and exciting atmosphere where local emergency services personnel gather to compete in a friendly fitness competition to bolster camaraderie.

Additionally, it features a children's festival and multiple vendor booths to provide the people and businesses of Saskatoon the opportunity to interact with their local first responders in a more personal way and engage with those who protect and serve the community.

The other objective of the YXEFRFF event is to fundraise for causes relevant to our line of work. Our foundational choice is OSI CAN, a national charity that offers a variety of mental health services for first responders, doctors, and nurses among others. Our relationship however comes with the understanding all monies raised stay within the local Saskatchewan chapter to support those in need.

In 2022, we started with a zero-dollar budget and raised $25,000. These monies assisted over 110 individuals affected with PTSD receive treatment.

In 2023, our committee decided to further build on our initial objective and added a second charity - Kidsport Saskatoon. Our event promotes teamwork and camaraderie, and it's our belief children should have the ability to be involved in team sports and experience the benefits of being part of a team as part of their growing and learning process.

In our second year, we raised $40,000, which was split between the two entities. In addition to further assisting OSI CAN beneficiaries, these monies assisted close to 80 children who may otherwise not have had the opportunity to receive sponsorship through Kidsport.

It's with great excitement that we see our event and brand growing each year, however, with this expansion comes increased operating costs.

Each year our unions, employers, and the businesses of Saskatoon have responded to our canvassing pursuits by helping our committee and trusting in our cause. Without their support, we simply would not be able to operate.