With the vision of helping all children gain access to sport and recreation, Canadian Tire Jumpstart Day is returning to Cochrane.
The local store will play host to the annual fundraising event, which runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 25.
With balloons, face painting, interactive sporting games and Butterfield Acres petting zoo in attendance — the event promises a little something for everyone. A free (although a minimum donation of $2 is requested) barbecue will be grilling up summertime favourites, so bring your appetite.
Canadian Tire Jumpstart is a Canada-wide charitable initiative that helps financially disadvantaged children between the ages of four and 18, and their families combat the rising costs of organized sport and recreation.
“All the funds raised stay right in the communities,” said Julie Bellissimo, Canadian Tire spokesperson. “Whatever is raised in Cochrane remains in Cochrane.”
The initiative classifies the Cochrane chapter as part of the Calgary region, said Bellissimo. Last year, the Jumpstart program provided assistance to 3,884 children in the Calgary area. Since the program began in 2005, more than 15,000 kids from Calgary and the surrounding area have been introduced to sports thanks to contributions from Jumpstart. Overall, the program has reached more than 540,000 kids nationwide.
Bellissimo said how the funding is dispersed is tailored specifically to the community, and to the child and family in question. The support goes to help cover the costs of registration fees, transportation and equipment. The local chapter selects funding recipients.
Taking part in the local chapter of Jumpstart are: the Town of Cochrane, the Boys and Girls Club of Cochrane and Area, Family and Community Support Services, Spray Lake Sawmills Family Sports Centre, Seniors for Kids Society and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Calgary and Area.
