You can give children a jump start
Photo: Contributed
Canadian Tire’s Jumpstart program is helping thousands of children exercise, and the Kelowna office is busy with their current fundraiser.
The national campaign was launched in 2005 and has since benefited 2,301 children in Kelowna. In 2022 alone, there were 309. All money raised through the Kelowna branch stays in Kelowna, and the same goes for the West Kelowna location.
“I am pleased that our team continues to raise the bar on donations,” said John Gilbert, general manager of Canadian Tire Kelowna, in a press release. “I am pleased that all funds raised in Kelowna are helping the children of Kelowna.”
The Kelowna store’s fundraising goal for this year is $7,000. In the past, donations have been made to organizations such as the YMCA and the Okanagan Boys and Girls Club.
Canadian Tire Kelowna employee Patrick Marsico knows how expensive sports registration and equipment can be.
“I absolutely love that any proceeds we raise stay in our local community,” says Marsico. “I have a younger sister who enjoys playing a variety of sports throughout the year, and I can imagine a single parent who may struggle to make ends meet and find ways to pay for enrollment, equipment, travel and Collect money costs of each sport.
“A program like Jumpstart can be so important in helping so many different families who want the best for their children but just have to work so hard to make it a reality.”
West Kelowna’s 2023 fundraising goal is $5,000. Last year it supported Julia’s Junction, an inclusive playground.
The money donated in the shop goes directly to the goals of the respective location. The national Jumpstart donation page can be found here.
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