Organizations Celebrate Early Success of National "Canadian Tire Jumpstart Get in the Game!" Pilot Program
TORONTO, July 18, 2014 /CNW/ - Since July 2013, 4,457 children from priority neighbourhoods across Canada have been given a sporting chance thanks to "Canadian Tire Jumpstart Get in the Game!" – a pilot program launched by Jumpstart Charities and Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada (BGCC) that aims to remove the financial barriers keeping many kids from participating in organized sports and physical activities. This program brings together Jumpstart's funding support and Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada's network of chapters to help even more kids get off the sidelines and into the game.
An event was held today at the Hamilton East Kiwanis Boys and Girls Club, one of 11 Boys and Girls Clubs participating in the "Canadian Tire Jumpstart Get in the Game!" pilot, to celebrate the early success of the national program. This new partnership has given children from across Canada the chance to participate in a number of organized physical activities including: hockey, Zumba, soccer and more.
One in three Canadian families cannot afford to enrol their children in sports and physical activities due to financial barriers such as registration fees, equipment and transportation. That's why Jumpstart has teamed up with BGCC to give more children a chance to get in the game and enjoy the physical, social and emotional benefits of participating in team sports and group activities.
"Too many young Canadians do not have access to safe, constructive activities outside of school," says Pam Jolliffe, President and CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada. "Working in partnership with Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities, our Clubs can now offer a greater number of children and youth the chance to build a healthy foundation that will stay with them for a lifetime."
The "Canadian Tire Jumpstart Get in the Game!" pilot builds on Jumpstart's existing relationship with Boys and Girls Clubs to provide children from priority neighbourhoods with access to organized sports outside of school. Since 2005, Jumpstart has maintained ongoing relationships with local Boys and Girls Clubs, which assist with funding applications and provide invaluable support to identify and evaluate applicants. Together with Jumpstart, several Boys and Girls Clubs have created and delivered local programs that help kids from priority neighbourhoods get active. The launch of the national partnership will enable both organizations to deliver programming to more children than ever before.
"This partnership is a natural fit for Jumpstart as we share BGCC's belief that quality physical activity and supportive adult mentors help young people build confidence, leadership and creativity, in addition to enhanced health and well-being," says Landon French, Vice-President, Community Relations and Jumpstart, Canadian Tire Corporation. "Since 2005, Jumpstart has given over 750,000 children the chance to experience these benefits and our new partnership with BGCC will enable us to help thousands more."
This program marks the first time that Jumpstart has activated a national partnership with Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada and both organizations hope to roll out "Canadian Tire Jumpstart Get in the Game!" to more local Boys and Girls Clubs across the country, subject to a successful pilot.
About Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada
Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada is dedicated to supporting and encouraging children and youth as they grow and develop. We are a national charity serving 200,000 young people in 650 locations across Canada. We listen to their opinions and ideas, applaud their accomplishments, lend support during their struggles and provide ways for them to explore their interests and talents. With this encouragement, young people develop the confidence and sense of belonging that helps them succeed in school, form positive relationships and mature into responsible, caring adults. For over 110, years we have welcomed children, youth and their families into clubs that reflect the diversity of Canada in small and large cities, rural communities and First Nations reserves. Visit www.bgccan.com and follow us at www.facebook.com/bgccan and www.twitter.com/bgccan.
About Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities
Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities is a national charity dedicated to providing kids from low-income families with the opportunity to experience the benefits of organized sports and physical activities. With an extensive, national network of more than 330 local chapters, Jumpstart helps kids in communities across Canada by assisting with the costs associated with registration, equipment and/or transportation.
Supported by the Canadian Tire Family of Companies, which includes Canadian Tire, PartSource, Gas+, Sport Chek, Atmosphere, National Sports, Sports Experts, Mark's and Canadian Tire Financial Services, Jumpstart has enabled more than 750,000 Canadian kids and counting to get in the game since 2005.
SOURCE Canadian Tire Jumpstart
Image with caption: "Canadian Tire Jumpstart and Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada help kids "Get in the Game" thanks to national partnership (CNW Group/Canadian Tire Jumpstart)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140718_C2408_PHOTO_EN_4363.jpg
Susan Sullivan, Media Relations Manager, Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada, 905.477.7272 ext. 239, ssullivan@bgccan.com; Sharon Lassman, Canadian Tire Corporation, 647-530-4826, sharon.lassman@cantire.comCopyright CNW Group 2014