Fasting 5K Toronto Raises $12,000 for Nexus!

Wednesday, July 6, 2016

Earlier this summer, Nexus Youth Services was delighted to be selected as the charity of choice by Fasting 5K's Toronto chapter. Fasting 5K is a US-based organization that raises money for child and youth charities during Ramadan, which is special month when Muslims around the world fast from sunrise to sunset and take extra time to pray, reflect and give to charity.

On June 25th more than 40 Muslims gathered in Mississauga to take part in the first Fasting 5K ever held in Canada. The group walked together from Dunton Athletic Fields (6180 Kennedy Road) and Sayeda Khadija Centre (7150 Edwards Blvd.) and raised $16,848.67 CAD in total, with 70% of the proceeds (approximately $12,000 CAD) donated directly to Nexus. Other events were held at the same time in 6 major US cities (Boston, Chicago, Columbus, Detroit, New York City and Washington, D.C.), altogether raising more than $130,000 USD for local charities and the Syrian American Medical Services' initative to expand psychosocial services for Syrian refugees at the Zaatari camp in Jordan.

Congratulations to Fasting 5K for doing such an amazing job raising awareness about youth mental health in the Peel community and throughout the United States. Your commitment to supporting the psychosocial needs of Syrian refugees should also be commended. Thank you for using the inspiration of Ramadan to end the stigma of mental health and give back to your communitiies!