KidSport Calgary and area is committed to ensuring low-income families have the support they need to get their children involved in sport.
KidSport has raised the available funding per qualified child to $500 for this year, a $200 increase from last year’s funding.
“I am extremely proud to represent our Board of Directors and staff to share this significant announcement today,” CEO of KidSport Calgary Flames Sports Bank Kevin Webster said in a media release.
The increase in child funding was made to ensure its accessible to all qualified families who apply for financial assistance. The funding will be supported with the continued access to no-cost equipment through KidSport Calgary’s Calgary Flames Sports Bank.
KidSport and the Calgary Flames Sports Bank are working together to ensure families can easily access sport by breaking down financial barriers that can be associated with sport while giving youth an outlet to invest in their mental, social, and physical well-being.
“Sport is going to play a critical role in our recovery as a community and a very important role in supporting our youth as they get to return to some of the many activities, they have missed over the last two years. Today’s announcement is about rallying around the families who need us, investing in their kids and investing in our local sports community to ensure they can continue to provide the programming local kids rely on,” Webster said. “We believe the time is now and the increased funding we are announcing today is about backing that up with further financial support for low-income families in our community as they make choices for their kids in 2022.”
The funding increase was possible with the support of KidSport and community donations, fundraisers, sponsorships, and grants.
“We are grateful to our community of donors, volunteers, ambassadors, sport partners, sponsors and fundraisers who have given us the foundation and confidence to make this commitment to local families and their kids here in 2022,” Webster said. “As a grassroots sport’s charity, raising funds to support all qualified families who come to us is a constant process. To be able to make an announcement of this level is a testament to the strong impact we have had over 27 years serving our community, the important role we play in the lives of local kids and the connection sport has to so many as they choose to raise funds, donate, and support our programs.”
Since January, more than 2,000 pieces of no-cost equipment have been distributed to get local kids geared up and ready to get back to the sports they love. Over 700 kids have received financial assistance from KidSport Calgary, 106 youth received no-cost equipment through in-person appointments, and 1,117 youth have received equipment through outreach partnerships in Southern Alberta, the release said.
KidSport is a not-for-profit organization designed to get kids back into sport when financial barriers would have prevented them.
The KidSport Calgary and area chapter works to raise money to help kids in communities including Calgary, Airdrie, Black Diamond, Cochrane, Chestermere, High River, Strathmore, Rocky View County and Turner Valley.
The Calgary Flames Sports Bank is a KidSport Calgary program, that works to collect, recycle, and redistribute equipment at no cost to kids who would otherwise be denied the opportunity to participate.
Visit www.kidsport.ca/calgary and www.flamessportsbank.ca to learn more about available programs.
