When kids have access to sports, they improve in school, become stronger leaders, create safer communities, ignite inclusivity and fuel healthy habits for life. These are the reasons why organizations such as KidSport exist: to provide all children with the opportunity to play organized sports and grow into better citizens.
For many years, KidSport has worked together with civic partners to build stronger communities for stronger kids. Their organization is made of amazing volunteers, ambassadors, and sport club champions, and supports over 8,000 local kids every year.
The pandemic has left many kids without the opportunity to play sports, but KidSport’s work hasn’t stopped. We want to bring awareness to their organization, and in particular to their “Between a Rock and an Art Place Auction”, which closes on Friday March 26. Please help us to support this initiative and the role of KidSport in our city.
Their mission
KidSport provides support to children in order to remove financial barriers that prevent them from playing organized sport. They believe that no kid should be left on the sidelines and all should be given the opportunity to experience the positive benefits of organized sport.
Through grants, KidSport helps cover the costs of registration fees and equipment so all kids aged 18 and under in Calgary can have access to play a season of sport.
Current needs
As the pandemic started and team sport schedules were cancelled, KidSport adapted to provide curbside pick up of no-cost equipment through their Calgary Flames Sports Bank. Over 600 qualified kids have accessed equipment through these outlets, which has given them a chance to maintain some activity even with sports being shut down for most of last year.
KidSport is focused on helping local Calgary & Area kids safely get #BackToSport. After all the challenges these past twelve months have brought, their organization is going to play a critical role in building our community back up.
Their organization, which includes the Calgary Flames Sports Bank, will be a cornerstone to ensuring the families in need have the support they require to get back to sport this year, and start to bring some normalcy to the lives of thousands of kids.
Fundraising efforts
How can you help them achieve their goal? Bidding on items in their “Between a Rock and an Art Place Auction”
Chinook Blast, in collaboration with Tourism Calgary, and in celebration of Curling Canada’s Season of Champions in Calgary, featured 16 curling rocks painted by local artists throughout Downtown Calgary. These rocks and their amazing artwork were donated to KidSport Calgary following Chinook Blast to help them raise funds for local kids who need assistants this year as they look to get back to sports.
The auction closes on Friday March 26. To bid, please see more details: https://bit.ly/2P1Adeh
There are other ways to help:
- Make a donation online: https://kidsportcanada.ca/alberta/calgary/donate/
- Donate your new or lightly used sports equipment to their Calgary Flames Sports Bank to help get kids in gear: https://www.flamessportsbank.ca/
- Donations can also be made through the Shaw Charity Classic Birdies for Kids Program: https://shawcharityclassic.com/donatenow/
The cancellation of in-person events has had a huge impact on KidSport as these were a significant part of their annual fundraising. Besides raising critical funds for their organization, events were also a touch point and connector with the community.
Their team expressed that nothing could replace the opportunity to get together with the community to further grow their impact. While they hope new opportunities come in the near future, they continue their mission through partnerships with Chinook Blast, Tourism Calgary and all these great artists helping them raise their profile through the “Between a Rock and an Art Place Auction.