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Inaugural Nerf fundraiser benefits cancer patients

A local Nerf club is getting in the holiday spirit by hosting an inaugural Christmas charity event Dec. 23, at the Volleydome Gym on James Jones Way near CrossIron Mills mall.
Aiming at Cancer
Members of YYC Foam Wars take aim at the camera. The club will host an inaugural Christmas fundraiser Dec. 23, benefiting Kids Cancer Care, at the Volleydome Gym near Balzac.

A local Nerf club is getting in the holiday spirit by hosting an inaugural Christmas charity event Dec. 23, at the Volleydome Gym on James Jones Way near CrossIron Mills mall.

Andrew Downey organizes YYC Foam Wars, a Nerf club boasting more than 1,000 members.

“Our club’s been running for two years, and we’ve grown to the point where I’m now able to give back to the community,” he said.

According to Downey, the event is free for kids aged seven and up, and parents are also invited to participate. Downey is requesting a donation of at least $10 from adults, which will go to support Kids Cancer Care.

Hopefully, Downey added, he’ll raise enough to surpass his conservative fundraising goal of $500 – an achievable amount for the event’s first year.

“Lots of people commented and said, ‘Set it at $2,000, $3,000, $5,000,’” he said. “For my first fundraiser, I want to hit that goal.”

The event, which runs from 1 to 3 p.m., will include multiple Nerf-based games – capture the flag, last man standing, tag and what Downey called the crowd favourite, humans versus zombies. There is also a spectator area for parents who want to attend but not participate.

The event is capped at 200 participants, according to Downey, due to space constraints and to ensure the activities don’t get too chaotic. He said prospective participants should RSVP before the event at yycfoamwars.ca

Participants will need to supply at least one Nerf blaster marked with their name, eye protection and indoor shoes. Downey will provide foam ammunition, and will sell safety glasses for $5 at the event.

Downey added 7-Eleven has donated refillable Slurpee cups, which will be available while supplies last. A $15 donation will guarantee a small cup, and anyone who donates $25 can choose between a medium and a large.

All funds collected through the event will be donated to Kids Cancer Care, an organization dear to Downey’s heart. While working as a gymnastics instructor, Downey said, he occasionally hosted classes for cancer patients from the Alberta Children’s Hospital. That experience showed him first-hand how difficult a battle with cancer can be for youth.

“I have kids of my own,” he said. “Fortunately, they’re healthy, but I tell you, I’ve taught kids with cancer before and I would hate for any kid to deal it. If I can give back to the families, that just puts my mind at ease and my heart at rest.”

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