MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release – March 27, 2023
Fort McMurray International Airport’s Second Annual Easter Family Fun Event Raises $2810 for the United Way
Over 1,500 guests enjoy Easter festivities at YMM
Fort McMurray, AB – The Fort McMurray International Airport (YMM) hosted its second annual Family Easter Fun event on Sunday, March 26, 2022, in support of the United Way Fort McMurray and Wood Buffalo.
Six hundred children attended during the afternoon time slots. Each hour, a new group of children came out to YMM for Easter fun! Children would first select their favourite Easter basket from the baggage carousel, then make their way down the Easter bunny trail to enjoy activity and craft stations. The fun included cookie decorating, bunny racing, egg decorating and games at the carrot patch. The highlight for most was being greeted by the Easter Bunny once his flight arrived from Bunny Island.
A sensory-friendly time slot was added to the event this year to accommodate children with sensitivities. “At YMM, we recognize our guests have varying needs. That’s why we have Quiet Rooms designated for guests who need a calm place to relax during travel. We’ve also added sensory-friendly time slots to ensure our special events can be enjoyed by everyone,” says Denean Robinson, President & CEO of the Airport Authority. “Thank you to the Autism Society for joining us Sunday and providing noise-cancelling headphones.”
All funds raised through the event will support important programs and services offered through United Way Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo member agencies, “What a treat for the community and our team members – we had a blast on Sunday volunteering at the event,” says Cathy Steeves, Executive Director of the United Way. “It was a great way to bring the community together at our beautiful airport. Funds raised will support United Way agencies in the important work they do to serve our community.”
YMM’s airport campus and community partners were eager to support the event, through in-kind and monetary sponsorships to enhance the event and funds raised for the United Way. YMM’s newest airport campus tenant, Kyle Reid with Robby’s Towing sponsored so that bicycles could be purchased as prizes, “We supported the event for the past two years, as a father myself, I know the joy that events like this bring to children,” says Reid.
All prize raffle winners have been contacted – the live draw was posted on the Fort McMurray International Airport Facebook page on Sunday, along with an album of photos taken at the event. Photos can also be viewed on FlyYMM.com.
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About Fort McMurray International Airport | flyymm.com
Fort McMurray International Airport (YMM) is proudly owned and operated by the Fort McMurray Airport Authority (FMAA), connecting the world to the Fort McMurray Wood Buffalo region. FMAA is a community-based, non-profit, non-share capital organization. The airport is a major economic driver for the region, with an economic output of over $354 million and supporting over 70 businesses on airport campus and approximately 900 jobs.
Media Contact:
Fort McMurray Airport Authority
Jessica Lipton
Manager, Marketing & Communications
780-880-0333
Jessica.Lipton@flyymm.com