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Good morning, folks.
A couple of months ago, I received a story suggestion from one of you:
What about something on kids who can never afford to play sports? Parents who don’t have the time or money so the child misses out. He/she sees and hears about what their friends are doing at school and elsewhere… not their fault, just luck of the draw… We are all experiencing this now in our own COVID-19 way. We are getting a feel for what some kids feel every day. Maybe we should look at sports a little different now and realize how important it is for ALL kids to play.
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I was one of those kids, I replied. Growing up with a brother and a single mom, we didn’t have the money to afford equipment, registration fees, or special camps.
I remember being the goalie on my elementary school hockey team, because the goalie didn’t need to wear skates. I rocked in street hockey.
I remember in high school being able to naturally hit a school-issued 5-iron on the field behind Dakota Collegiate, but not being able to afford my own clubs to play on a real course. Forget that golf camp I desperately wanted to attend.
It’s a feeling I’ve heard best described as always being on the outside looking in.
Supplied photo
With little opportunity to play sports as a kid, I spent a fair bit of time watching it instead. Maybe that’s why I ended up in this gig. Not so bad, I guess.
Later in life, when I had the means to buy my own equipment and send myself to camp, I treated that inner-child to many golf lessons, custom-fitted clubs, and a membership at Niakwa. Better late than never, right?
I also started supporting associations like KidSport. It’s been a few years since I cut them a cheque, so an email I received Wednesday morning reminded me they still do good work, and still need our help.
Over 30 percent of Canadian youth under the age of 18 cannot afford to play organized sport, and KidSport’s mission is to get more kids off the slidelines and into the game. On Wednesday, they launched their 9th annual Give the Gift of Sport fundraising campaign that runs until Jan. 4.
Since its creating in 1993, KidSport has disbursed over $84M and helped over 930,000 kids in Canada.
“Organized sport provides children with so many benefits. We know it can help them be healthier, but it can also help them with things like their education and social development,” KidSport chair Jamie Ferguson said in a press release. “In essence, sport can provide children with a head start in life.. we believe every child deserves that chance.”
I made a donation here.
I received three other fundraising emails on Wednesday:
- The Christmas Cheer Board reopened on Monday and it still has plans to mail out food vouchers along with offering its hamper sponsorship program. I made a donation here;
- Winnipeg Harvest announced a name change to Manitoba Harvest. In its 35th year, Harvest operates over 350 food banks and agencies across the province, the fourth-largest food distribution network of its kind in Canada. Donations can be made here;
- And finally, the Winnipeg ICE have again teamed up with The Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba to raise money for this year’s Virtual Teddy Bear Toss. If you’d like to assist in the campaign that will provide comfort items for children who are in the hospital over the holidays, click here. Donations will go towards items such as teddy bears, books, movies, blankets, and assorted toys.
‘Tis the season folks. Thanks, if you can help.
As always, you can reach me by replying to this mailing or by sending me an email here.
Also, if you think someone you know might be interested in helping the associations above or would enjoy this mailing, you can forward it to them to sign up here.
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