So it came as little surprise when the local Eagles Club-affiliated motorcycle group chose KidSport for their latest annual donation. Members of the group presented KidSport with a $3,000 donation recently, with the funds going to support of local youngsters aiming to play sports but dealing with financial hardship.
“The past 12 years that we’ve been in business has been strictly devoted to children,” said Ross Carmpton with the Eagle Riders. “We helped with various things for the children’s ward at the Union hospital, juvenile diabetes and a children’s autism camp. So we were looking for something knew and came up with Kidsport, it seemed like a perfect fit for us.”
A total of $2,000 came through the Alberta and Saskatchewan provincial organization and $1,000 from local fundraising poker runs and other activities.
“Everyone knows that kids sports can be pretty expensive, so we’re really happy to help out,” Crampton said. “There are so many benefits, instead of playing with their phone or iPad, they’re out there getting exercise.”
With the fall and winter sports season kicking into high gear, the donation comes at a good time, said KidSport committee member Marta Woodrow.
“We have a huge need in Moose Jaw and we try to give every kid something, it’s just that the more we can give the more it takes the burden off families,” Woodrow said. “Every season it’s more, and no one wants to be in meeting and say we only have this much and we can’t help everyone we want to.”
Moose Jaw KidSport annually receives between 200 and 300 applications a year, covering registration fees and other expenses to help children be active. Last year alone, KidSport helped 193 youngsters for a total of $43,618.
“It’s all about the kids,” Woodrow said. “We even try to save money on postage, anything we can do to be innovative and help in any way we can and have as much money go back to the kids as possible.”
For more information on the local KidSport organization, be sure to check www.kidsportcanada.ca/saskatchewan/moose-jaw/.
