News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

By LeRae Haynes 

Kids in Williams Lake and surrounding areas have had support to play sports since 2005, thanks to KidSport and JumpStart. They helped 131 kids last year by assisting with funds for registering kidswith 13 different sport organizations, with a total of $12,993.00 in financial support. 

JumpStart is the Canadian Tire fundraising arm for KidSport, and store owner Brian Stefan met this week with the KidSport team to share some information about the numbers of kids signing up for KidSport, the importance of public support and awareness, and upcoming fundraising efforts. 

(Photo: Darrin Lauder, Deb Radolla, Jay Bryan, Denise Skarra, Mike Franklin, Pat Radolla and Brian Stefan met this week at New World Coffee to talk about the importance of giving all children the chance to play sports.)

Denise Skarra, KidSport Chair, said that the numbers of applications for support have increased dramatically in the last couple of years. “The Dave Jacobs Classic run this year will be changed to the KidSport Classic and $5.00 from every registration will go to KidSport,” she explained. “Donations are very, very welcome—you can drop them off at the Cariboo Memorial Complex or at Canadian Tire.” 

Kids are referred to KidSport by people like a social worker, teacher or school principal, and a group of these professionals make up the adjudication team who make the application decisions. 

“One of the biggest challenges is people who don’t know we’re here to help kids,” said Brian Stefan. “At Canadian Tire we triple-match every dollar raised by JumpStart for KidSport, and every dollar goes to help local kids.” 

The National Hockey Players League donates brand new hockey gear for the kids. 

Brian said that JumpStart at Canadian Tire works with the local chapter of KidSport because of their local contacts. “KidSport has a 0% expense base and 100% of the money stays local---all the money goes for the kids.”

There will be a BBQ fundraiser at Canadian Tire on May 29 to raise money for KidSport.

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