Stretching for a Cause: Sunrise Yoga event to raise money, awareness for students in need

As the sun rises over Burlington’s Spencer Smith Park on Sunday, September 24, the air will be filled with the sounds of ‘Om.’ About 100 people are expected to stretch, child’s pose and downward dog in an early morning yoga class by the lake.

The event, led by Burlington yoga instructor Maggie Aynsley, is free and open to all, but attendees are being asked to make a donation to the Halton Learning Foundation (HLF).

Organizer Adam Doering is both a yoga enthusiast and a supporter of HLF. He decided to combine his passions last year when he launched the inaugural Sunrise Yoga in the Park. The event attracted more than 80 yoga enthusiasts and raised $20,000 for HLF, a registered charity that provides school grants and helps low-income students of the Halton District School Board with financial support for school. Burlington business Peach Coffee Co. has stepped up as a sponsor of the event for the second year in a row.

Funds raised will be directed to the Mark Doering Thoughtful Fund at HLF, in memory of Adam’s late brother. Funds will support students in need of basic necessities like lunches, school supplies, clothing or other items that help kids feel included in learning.

“My commitment to HLF and to my brother Mark is to raise $1 million over the next few years to help ensure that all students have access to things like healthy lunches, proper gym clothes, or the opportunity to participate in a school team or field trip,” said Adam. “These are things many of us assume are available to all kids, but are actually out of reach for many families in our community.”
Adam was recently recognized by the Golden Horseshoe Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals as Philanthropist of the Year for his work on behalf of HLF.
To learn more or to register for Sunrise Yoga , visit haltonlearningfoundation.ca/yoga.