The sound of bouncing basketballs, music and cheering families filled Parc Georges St. Pierre on Wednesday as hundreds gathered in Notre-Dame-de-Grâce for the Power of Sports Walk-a-thon, a fundraiser aimed at helping more young people access sports and mentorship opportunities.
Presented by Montreal Community Cares, the annual event brought together youth, families, schools, athletes and community partners for a day of walking, games and celebration on St. Jean Baptiste Day.
Organizers say the fundraiser supports youth development initiatives through the Montreal Community Cares Foundation and Red Rush Basketball, helping provide access to sports, educational support, leadership programming, mentorship and safe community spaces.
For Denburk Reid, founder and president of Montreal Community Cares, the event is about much more than raising money.
“Today we’re gathered for the Power of Sports because I believe there’s true power in youth development,” Reid said. “And I think sports has a very big role to play when it comes to that.”
Reid said he wanted the event to celebrate not only St. Jean Baptiste Day, but also young people across Quebec who participate in sports or hope to one day.
“I wanted to just celebrate, yes, St. Jean Baptiste, but celebrate all the youth in Quebec who are participating in sports and who want to participate in sports,” he said. “I think they need support.”
Funds raised during the event will help families who struggle to cover the costs associated with organized sports while also supporting coaching development and the purchase of athletic equipment for schools and organizations in need.
Throughout the day, participants took part in a community walk before returning to the park for a family festival featuring basketball, soccer, flag football, music, food and games.
Reid said sports can have a lasting impact on young people by giving them a sense of belonging and purpose.
“It gives them motivation. It gives them something to aspire to. It gives them a place to belong, a safe space to play, and a safe place to be,” he said.
“It builds their confidence… I’m talking about when they’re there to uplift you and help the youth rise. That’s what this is all about — trying to help youth rise through sports.”
For siblings Zion and Enya, both participants in the walk-a-thon and members of Red Rush Basketball, the benefits of sports extend far beyond competition.
Thirteen-year-old Zion, who has been playing basketball for six years, said the game helps him cope with the pressures of school and stay connected with friends.
“It helped me to release the pressure of the school,” he said. “When I play basketball, I’m in another zone. And to be there with my teammates is like being with my friends.”
Enya, 10, said basketball has helped her grow both on and off the court.
“Basketball helped me to speak more English,” she said. “And it’s like being with my friends too.”
The siblings were among many young athletes who spent the day walking, playing and raising funds to help other children access opportunities through sport.
Organizers described the event as a community festival designed to unite athletes, families, schools and local organizations around a shared goal: helping young people succeed.
For Reid, that sense of community is just as important as the fundraising itself.
“It’s about building bridges and you can’t do anything alone,” he said. “It’s about the collective.”
“On the field, on the court, we might be competitors, but in the community, we’re all there to help each other rise and help the youth.”
As participants gathered under sunny skies and celebrated together, the message behind the event remained clear: sports can be a powerful tool for building confidence, creating opportunities and strengthening communities — one young person at a time.
