MEDIA RELEASE
YMCA CHRISTCHURCH A CHAMPION OF YOUNG PEOPLE
The YMCA of Christchurch was acknowledged among peers and business leaders on Wednesday night as winners of the Champion
Canterbury Medium/Large Charity Award.
The Champion Canterbury Awards are the biggest business awards in New Zealand, with over 1100 people attending the Award
dinner.
CEO Josie Ogden Schroeder was amazed to be the recipient ahead of highly deserving, respected and inspirational
finalists the Christchurch City Mission and the Laura Ferguson Trust. She spoke at the event about the need for business
leaders to support the not for profit sector, emphasising the important work that is done by the charitable sector to
support a thriving community, and the challenges that all of them face to sustain financial viability. She pointed out
that commercial businesses should financially support these organisations if they can afford to, to help build a strong
community with high levels of well being.
The awards are an important acknowledgment of those in the Canterbury region who contribute significantly to business
and community wellbeing, and there were over 150 entries. The event is hosted by the Christchurch Chamber of Commerce
and supported by The Press.
“Receiving this award has been surprising, humbling and awesome.” Ogden Schroeder said. “What a great tribute to current
staff and volunteers, not to mention the many thousands who have served this organisation for the past 155 years.”
The YMCA has no time to celebrate however – this weekend they are putting on again their annual youth talent quest –
Cavell Leitch Y Factor 2016 – which will see over $6,000 in prizes awarded to talented young people, as well as a
special guest performance by Annah Mac.
“We are really excited to see the talent on show this year! And it will be held in our brand new, edgy, funky,
one-of-a-kind theatre Papa Hou.” Ogden Schroeder advises people to get their tickets now to see the emerging talent of
our city perform this Sunday evening at 6.30pm.
ENDS