"Chaos the Clown" led the start-off to the "Walk So Kids Can Talk" Sunday morning at Aldergrove Regional Park.
BMO, which sponsors the Kids Help Phone charity, and BMO employees raised over $100,000 in the previous eight weeks so that the Kids Help Phone can provide round-the-clock professional counseling to youths in distress in Canada. About 1,200 BMO employees took part in fundraising bowling and karaoke singing in the campaign.
Volunteer coordinator Martin Straith said the purpose of the event was to raise public awareness of the free and confidential service, as well as raise funds for its continuation -- and to have fun.
Straith noted that more than 70,000 callers were guided to counselling sessions which helped the youths deal with personal issues, perhaps even saved their lives. The service certainly aims to improve their lives.