In Canada, many families simply cannot afford to enrol their children in any organized sports or extra recreational activities.
Participating in organized sports and recreational activities offer children life lessons such as sportsmanship, teamwork, determination and tenacity, builds leadership skills and boosts self esteem.
However, despite financial hardships many Canadian parents are experiencing, when there is a will there is a way.
The Canadian Tire Jumpstart program has assisted 439,383 children, as of March 30 to participate in sports programs and are a major sponsor of the KidSport program.
KidSport was initially created in British Columbia in 1993, and was aiming to ensure kids got to play the sports they love without letting financial barriers deter them.
“These funds help a great deal, and it is nice they stay in the community,” said Dave Watson, chairperson of Drumheller KidSport.
Watson said they receive around $5,000 per year from funds raised by Canadian Tire’s Jumpstart Day, but it can vary from year to year. He said this money is a fairly big portion of the $7,000-$9,000 that gets distributed to around 60-90 children in Drumheller and area.
By covering the cost of registration, equipment and transportation, children are given the chance to participate in recreational activities that otherwise would have been out of the question.
Jumpstart Day will take place on Saturday, May 26. The public will be given the chance to donate $2 in exchange for a red ball at Canadian Tire, Mark’s, Canadian Tire Gas and Pita Pit locations, with all proceeds going to Canadian Tire Jumpstart.