Supporting Canada's Elderly Population: The Grand Parade Fundraiser Event 2025

Supporting Canada's Aging Population

The population of Canadians over the age of 65 has surpassed the population under the age of 16 for the first time, and now we find ourselves facing a unique and urgent crisis. As this ratio continues to shift, the increasing number of senior citizens in Canada will require resources that they may not be able to afford or access through public assistance, leaving private charity organizations to shoulder the burden.

To find out how you can support Canada's elderly, visit https://thegrandparade.org/home

While the Canadian government has established a wide range of support programs to address this problem, they are already straining to keep up with the needs of rapidly growing sector of the population. The elderly may also face unreasonable work requirements or physical limitations when attempting to secure funding through those programs, once more causing these individuals to rely on private organizations.

Meet The Blue Sea Foundation

The Blue Sea Foundation is a peer-to-peer charity support organization dedicated to securing assistance for the elderly in their time of need.

For several years now, the organization has orchestrated The Grand Parade, a nationwide event intended to raise much-needed funding for the charities they are partnered with - and will be continuing that tradition next year, as per a recent announcement.

The Grand Parade 2025

The Grand Parade event features a 5k or 2.5k walk to celebrate Canada’s aging population; all funds raised go toward senior support organizations and grant funds. By holding this event and raising awareness, the Foundation hopes to improve the quality of life for all seniors in need, shining a light on the important issues facing the elderly in 2024 and beyond.

2024’s event was successful in raising over $740,000 so far for the charities and organizations partnered with the event. 1,800 walkers took part in The Grand Parade across 33 locations, with the top 3 teams raising a combined $50,000 for the cause - a major achievement for the organization and for all who participated.

Next year’s event hopes to welcome an even larger number of communities, teams, and individuals to participate, and will target a $1,000,000 goal across all fundraising efforts.

How Can You Participate?

Participating is as easy as donating to the organization or showing up to any of the dozens of participating cities to walk in support of Canada's elderly population.

The organization provided additional information, saying, “All TGP locations will host an organized, in-person main event - complete with 2.5km and 5km signed routes, rest stops, volunteers, and snacks at the end,” adding, “All TGP locations will welcome offsite fundraisers who self-organize either with friends or individually, walking any day in September on a route they choose.”

2025’s Grand Parade event will be held on September 21st, and a map of participating locations has been released on the event website. Pre-registration for volunteers and for those who wish to participate in the walk is open now; the organization is also still accepting donations for the 2024 fund until the end of October.

Sign up, donate, or read more at https://thegrandparade.org/home

Helping Hands Orillia City: Oril Address: 575 West Street South Website: https://www.helpinghandsorillia.ca/ Phone: +1-705-955-3208