NORTH BAY -- With Christmas Eve right around the corner, twins from Callander are in the spirit of giving back this year.

Sira and Kate Cotter, 13, designed a North Bay-themed matching game for people to add to their wish lists this year, with all proceeds going to the YMCA.

"We heard that (the YMCA) was in trouble and it couldn’t run if it doesn’t have enough money to stay open," Sira said. "So we thought that this game would be a good idea to have a fundraiser for the YMCA."

The two girls grew up in North Bay before moving to Callander recently. For them, it was a no-brainer to step up and help out.

"Every summer I’ve been to Camp Tillicum," said Kate. "It was fun so we want to help the camp raise money."

The matching game, which is expected to be available by this weekend, sells for $20, with a goal of raising $20,000 for the YMCA.

"I think it would be really good for the YMCA because it would probably be able to stay open, and the camps around here could stay open, which is nice for the kids here," Sira said.

Twins had support

A big initiative, the twins didn’t take on the task by themselves. See More Graphics in North Bay was quick to jump in and help.

"The YMCA has been a major part of the community for many years and it’s something that my own family and friends use on a very, very regular bases," said owner and operator Marc Daigle. "So when we were approached by the two girls, needing help, we just had to help. So we’re well-equipped to be able to produce all the games and it’s right down our wheelhouse. So, we just had to do it."

Daigle said he's impressed by the twin's efforts to help the Y.

"It’s a little humbling," he said. "It makes me try to have to pick up my socks and do a little more. When there’s two 13-year-olds doing this type of thing, you know, it makes you realize that maybe as grownups, we should all be doing a little bit more to help."

$2M campaign

The YMCA launched a $2 million campaign between North Bay and Sudbury to help recover losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Officials said it's initiatives like this one that really help showcase the importance in the community.

"To see the value of responsibility come out in these young people just really underscores for us how important our work is for youth in our community,” said Nicole Beattie. "Living in North Bay, having my children grow up here, my husband’s from North Bay, personally it just feels so cool that we’re going to have our own North Bay match game."

The My Y is Resilient campaign had a goal of raising $500,000 by the end of 2020. They have since raised $1.1 million.

"We’ve more than doubled our goal and we couldn’t be more thankful," Beattie said.

The card game will be sold at a number of local businesses, hopefully by this weekend, with all of them agreeing to give all of the money back to the YMCA.