Special Day Helps Youth “Jumpstart” Their Participation in Sport and Recreation

A proclamation was signed on Saturday, May 25, at Canadian Tire in Corner Brook to officially declare May 25, 2013, as the first Jumpstart Day in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, along with officials from Canadian Tire, were on hand for the signing. The Provincial Government also provided support of $350,000 for the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Program, a community-based charitable initiative which helps financially disadvantaged youth participate in organized sport and recreation.

“Initiatives such as the Jumpstart Program are essential in our efforts to help increase accessibility to organized sport in our province,” said Minister French. “Our government places great emphasis on the value of sport and recreation in our communities, and this is evident in the release of our strategy Active, Healthy Newfoundland and Labrador in 2007. The Jumpstart Program complements the goals of our strategy, and we are pleased to offer support of $350,000 for this worthwhile initiative and declare May 25 as Jumpstart Day.”

Since 2005, the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Program has helped more than 565,000 kids throughout Canada get involved in more than 70 sports such as hockey, swimming, soccer and ballet. On May 25, numerous Canadian Tire stores across the country organized events that ranged from charity barbecues to hockey demonstrations to raise funds for their local Jumpstart chapter. Each chapter includes a number of partners at the local level such as Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCA/YWCA, and municipal parks and recreation, with 100 per cent of donations remaining within the community.

“We truly appreciate the longstanding support of the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador in helping us raise funds to remove financial barriers so children can participate in a variety of sports,” said Johnny Misley, President, Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities. “We see it as equipping kids for life because participation in organized sport and recreation increases a child’s chance for success.”

In Newfoundland and Labrador, the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Program has assisted more than 26,500 youth participate in a number of sports since its inception in 2005.

A copy of the proclamation for Jumpstart Day is contained in the backgrounder below.

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BACKGROUNDER
Jumpstart Day Proclamation

WHEREAS one in three Canadian families cannot afford to involve their children in sport or recreational activities;

WHEREAS Jumpstart believes all kids should have the chance to run, skate, play, grow and participate in organized sport and recreation such as hockey, dance, swimming and basketball so they can develop important life skills, self-esteem, confidence;

WHEREAS Canadian Tire Jumpstart helps kids in financial need participate in organized sport and recreation with 100 per cent of customer donations going directly to kids in this community;

WHEREAS since 2005, Canadian Tire Jumpstart has helped more than 565,000 kids across Canada participate in organized physical activities including 26,770 kids here in Newfoundland and Labrador;

WHEREAS Jumpstart Day is a day dedicated to raising awareness across Canada so all kids can play;

NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador hereby proclaims May 25, 2013 as Jumpstart Day to give kids a sporting chance.

2013 05 27             9:35 a.m.