Lotteries Yukon celebrated its 40th birthday on Wednesday with a donation of $100,000 to the territory’s Kids Recreation Fund.

Heather Campbell, chair of the Yukon Lotteries Commission, made the announcement at LePage Park alongside Brad Cathers, minister responsible for the commission.

She said the funding will support Yukon children and youth whose families may be experiencing financial hardship to participate in art, sport and recreation programs and activities.

A crowd of young children and their parents cheered the news before resuming a zumba dance held as part of Arts in the Park.

The recreation fund, administered by Sport Yukon, was established in 1999 and has given more than 6,000 children across the territory access to $1.8 million since then.

Also part of the festivities was an event at the Second Haven Skatepark later that evening.

More than 20 youth brought their skateboards, scooters and bikes to the park for an evening of live music and fun.