So All Kids Can Play - KidSport Squamish Community Chapter Launches

For children in Squamish, playing sports just got a whole lot easier. A new KidSport™ Squamish community chapter has just launched, helping to remove financial barriers that may prevent children from getting involved in organized amateur sport. Families will now be able to apply directly to the KidSport™ Squamish community chapter to access funding for children to enroll in sports.

“The goal of our community chapter is to ensure all kids in Squamish have the opportunity to play sport,” said Ann Marie McKenzie, chair of KidSport™ Squamish. “Currently one in three families cannot afford the cost of organized sport. With the money raised to date we can help approximately 70 kids in our community play sport, and hope to continue to increase that number in the years to come.”

In December 2014, the District of Squamish initiated the start-up of the KidSport™ Squamish community chapter through its Recreation Services division. Throughout the past 10 months the newly formed KidSport™ Squamish, comprised of eight passionate community volunteers, has been working behind the scenes to raise funds. The committee has successfully raised over $15,000 in generous donations, providing KidSport™ Squamish with the necessary funds required to officially launch the new chapter.

“Squamish is recreation, and all kids should be given the opportunity to develop healthy lifestyles through recreation, regardless of financial, physical or language barriers,” says District of Squamish Mayor Patricia Heintzman. “This is a wonderful example of how a community can work together in support of our residents, and I thank everyone involved for their energy and passion for this important cause.”

"Any funds raised for KidSport™ Squamish will stay in the community to support local children playing sport,” stresses McKenzie. “Our strategy will be to connect with local businesses who believe in sport for kids, and who are looking for a charity partner.”

The launch event will take place Saturday, September 19 at Howe Sound Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. Mountain FM will be on site and Howe Sound Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram will host a BBQ from 11am until close. For each test drive taken during the month of September, Howe Sound Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram will donate $20 to KidSport™ Squamish. “We encourage everyone in Squamish to drop by for a test drive,” said McKenzie.

“KidSport BC is pleased to welcome KidSport Squamish to the “family” of over 180 community KidSport chapters across the country,” said Director of KidSport™ BC, Pete Quevillon. “As the 42nd BC chapter, KidSport Squamish will help KidSport BC continue to grow and ensure that no child is left on the sidelines. With over $1.6 million in grants to over 7,400 kids across the province last year, KidSport Squamish will help us meet our mission…SO ALL KIDS CAN PLAY.”

To learn more, including how to donate, how to apply for assistance or how to get involved, visit the KidSport™ Squamish section of www.kidsport.ca/bc

About KidSport™

KidSport™ was established in 1993 by Sport BC as a community based sport-funding program that provides grants for children ages 6 – 18 to participate in a sport season of their choice. There are now 28 community chapters in BC and 177 chapters across Canada. KidSport™ works to fulfill its mission of eliminating the financial barriers to sport participation, ‘So ALL Kids Can Play!’

KidSport™ was the recipient of the 2009 Humanitarian Award from the British Columbia Association of Broadcasters and received $3-million of gifted media placement; to watch the “Sports Skills Are Life Skills” campaign and to get involved, visit kidsport.ca; to watch the “Sports Skills Are Life Skills” campaign and to get involved, visit kidsport.ca

September 15, 2015