Abbotsford's Canadian Tire store is taking part in the Red Ball campaign to raise money to help kids get involved in sports.
During the month of May, customers can donate $2 in exchange for a red ball at Canadian Tire, Mark’s, Sport Chek, Atmosphere or National Sports stores.
One hundred per cent of the proceeds go to Jumpstart, a charity which has given hundreds of thousands of kids across Canada a chance to participate in sports by covering registration, equipment and/or transportation costs. The ball represents the gift of play that a deserving child will be receiving.
Trevor Hutt, store manager at Abbotsford's Canadian Tire, said that getting behind the Jumpstart promotion is exciting for his staff.
"It's a great opportunity to help kids get involved in sports that otherwise wouldn't be able to afford it," he said.
Recent reports show that Canadian kids just aren’t getting enough exercise. According to the Canadian Society of Exercise Physiology, kids should get at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every single day. Unfortunately, for many children that simply isn’t the case.
“As important as physical activity is for our young people, the reality is that one in three families in Canada can’t afford to enrol their kids in organized sports or physical activity programs,” said Freida Rubletz, Jumpstart regional manager for the Greater Toronto area. “Charities like Jumpstart remove some of those financial pressures so all kids can have the opportunity to get in the game.”
To learn more about how Jumpstart is making an impact in your community or to make a donation, visit canadiantire.ca/jumpstart.