Yukon’s mining and exploration industry raises $37,000 to support childhood literacy and scholarship opportunities in the territory

WHITEHORSE, YUKON – Yukon’s mining and exploration industry came out once again to support two local charities – the Yukon Imagination Library (YIL) and the Yukon Mines Legacy Foundation (YMLF) – during the Yukon Geoscience Forum this fall.

A total of nearly $37,000 was raised at the Yukon Chamber of Mines 47th Annual Geoscience Forum Banquet and split evenly between the two charities.

Over the past eight years, this event has raised more than $200,000 to support YIL, a local non-profit organization that gives free age-appropriate books to Yukon children from birth to age 5.

This year half of the funds raised also supported the YMLF, a local charity that provides Yukoners with scholarship opportunities to pursue studies related to Yukon’s mineral exploration industry.

“It’s so wonderful to see Yukon’s mining and exploration industry come out to support these charities in this way once again,” says YIL Board Chair Wendy Tayler. “This year, the Yukon Imagination Library will send more than 17,400 free high-quality books to Yukon children and we could not provide this service without a lot of community support.”

The live auction was held before a packed banquet hall at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre. Items available for bid included generous donations from: Newmont Goldcorp, Yukon Chamber of Mines, AME, Yukon Mine Legacy Fund, Dena Nezziddi, Victoria Gold Corp, and esteemed Vancouver artist Jeff Wilson.

“Yukon’s mining industry plays a significant role in Yukon’s education and literacy efforts,” says Yukon Chamber of Mines President Mike Burke. “From the Yukon Imagination Library, to Every Student, Every Day and the Yukon Mines Legacy Foundation. Reinvestment in communities and Yukoners represents the values of those working and investing in Yukon’s mining industry.”

Every dollar raised by the Yukon Imagination Library up to $50,000 annually is match funded by the Government of Yukon through a multi-year agreement.

“Our government is proud to support the Yukon Imagination Library,” says Minister of Health and Social Services Pauline Frost. “The funds raised through this initiative will help provide access to education and opportunities for the territory’s most critical resource – our youth.”

The Yukon Geoscience Forum banquet also featured another successful silent auction organized by The Northern Safety Network Yukon (NSNY). This is the seventh year in a row NSNY has coordinated a silent auction to support YIL.

“It’s an honour for Northern Safety Network Yukon to participate over the years by coordinating the silent auction at the Geoscience Forum, contributing to the community, and investing in the future of our territory,” says NSNY Executive Director Sheila Sergy.

To learn more about the YIL, make a donation, or register your preschool-aged child for this free program, please visit yukonimaginationlibrary.ca

To learn more about the work of the Yukon Mines Legacy Foundation, please visit https://www.canadahelps.org/en/charities/yukon-mines-legacy-foundation/

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Contact:

Leighann Chalykoff
Executive Director, Yukon Imagination Library
867-334-6587
info@yukonimaginationlibrary.ca

Samson Hartland
Executive Director, Yukon Chamber of Mines
867-667-2090
ed@yukonminers.ca