Strathmore Jumpstart

Times Reporter  

 

Strathmore Canadian Tire had an initial fundraising goal of $8,000 towards the Jumpstart program, but they surpassed that with a total amount of $8,166. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough to bring Chicago Blackhawk Jonathan Toews to town, as Dauphin, Manitoba’s Canadian Tire location raised $20,000 and sold a total of 10,000 Red Balls for the campaign.

“Although it is disappointing not to have won the visit from Jonathan Toews, placing first in our region, sixth nationally, and raising over $8,000 for Jumpstart is still a great accomplishment – so I still feel like we won,” said Shelley Orford, co-owner of the Strathmore Canadian Tire.

She co-owns the store with her husband Randy.

“The community support for the campaign was fantastic. I would like to thank everyone who came out to support us on Jumpstart Day, and bought a Red Ball during the month of May,” she said, also noting special appreciation to the Wheatland Kings for their appearance at the BBQ on May 25. 

Other locations in Ontario, Manitoba, and New Brunswick surpassed Strathmore’s numbers, who at one time were fourth in fundraising. Not only did Strathmore raise the most in Alberta, but the most in Western Canada as well including British Columbia and Saskatchewan.

“It’s hard to feel like we lost when we raised awareness,” Orford said.

One of three Canadian families cannot afford to enroll their children in sports. Jumpstart changes that, assisting financially disadvantaged kids in recreation, by covering registration costs, helping with transportation fees, and paying for equipment. Since 2005, the Jumpstart program has helped over 580,000 kids ages four to 18 across Canada. One hundred per cent of customer donations go directly to those children in need.