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Zellers program to help kids

Community project funds programs for families in need

By: Geoff Kirbyson

Posted: 08/12/2010 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

KEN GIGLIOTTI / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS Enlarge Image

Mayor Sam Katz talks with children from the Magnus Eliason Recreation Centre Wednesday.

One of Canada's best-known retailers has chosen Winnipeg to launch a national program to help kids and families in need.

The Zellers Community Project (ZCP) made its first-ever donation Wednesday morning, a $300,000 contribution over three years to the Magnus Eliason Recreation Centre (MERC) on Langside Street in the West End.

In partnership with the City and Sponsor Winnipeg, the program will create 1,700 new programming hours, fund field trips to historic sites in Winnipeg and provide shuttle vans for free transportation for families in need to get to important appointments and events.

"If we can keep the kids in the programs longer, it will be that much more effective in supporting them," said Mark Foote, Zellers president.

The company's philanthropy will go even higher, he said, as it plans to raise additional funds for ZCP through specific product sales at its Winnipeg stores. It's hoped it will be able to raise a further $100,000 in the next three years.

"What we raise here, stays here. It won't go towards a national cause," Foote said.

Mayor Sam Katz was on hand at MERC Wednesday morning to receive the oversized cheque from the Hudson Bay Company subsidiary.

"We have had, unfortunately, years of neglect with our recreational infrastructure. Today, we're seeing the corporate community step forward. (The kids) are what it's all about. It's incumbent upon us to provide them with all of the facilities that we can," he said.

Clive Wightman, director of the City's community services department, said the gift from Zellers -- the second-biggest score by Sponsor Winnipeg since its launch late last year -- is "huge."

"The expansion offers kids the chance to be in a safe environment and learning life skills. Programs here can give a child another path to take," he said.

The transportation element will be particularly helpful in moving children and their families to cultural and active living programs outside of their cachement area.

"Right now, they might not have the bus fare. The more vans we're able to use, the more mobile the community becomes," he said.

Lyndon Francois, 8, one of dozens of school-age children to receive a backpack full of school supplies from Zellers following the formal presentation, said he's looking forward to hanging out even more at Magnus Eliason. "We go on outings, play dodgeball and have fun," he said.

geoff.kirbyson@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition August 12, 2010 B2

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