Canadian Tire leaps to first place in Jumpstart Campaign

Posted on: Staff Writer

Andrea Roberts
Times Contributor

 

Every year Canadian Tires across the country take part in the Jumpstart Campaign, which helps to keep children active and fund disadvantaged children to fulfill their sporting dreams.
Last year the Strathmore Canadian Tire came second in the national standing of who has raised the most money for the campaign. However, as this year the winners will be taken separately from the East and West, the local Canadian Tire is in first place. The winner is Western Canada will win a community BBQ event valued at $20,000.
“Basically our goal is to fundraise as much as we can so we never have to turn away any requests for funding,” said Shelley Orford, co-owner of the Strathmore Canadian Tire. “That way we can support every child that needs it in Strathmore.”
The winner will be announced at the end of June, which is also the Red Ball Campaign month. Each ball costs $2 and is in support of the Jumpstart campaign. As of June 18 the Strathmore Canadian Tire has raised $5,340 in red ball sales and hope to raise more on June 27.
This year in order to try to raise more money, the Strathmore Canadian Tire will be holding their own Jumpstart Day (which is nationally held in May) on June 27. The event will have a number of different activities such as a BBQ, face painting and silent auction. The highlight of the day, however, will be the dunk tank. Some local companies have signed up to be dunked. The dunking starts at 9 a.m. with Canadian Tire owner Randy Orford, manager Jim Brooks before moving on to Strathmore RCMP Staff Sgt. Kevin Reilly. Other participants include Chinook Financial, Wheatland Kings, Save My License, Global Training, Tim Hortons, Royal Bank and Animal Care Centre. Spectators can also see Strathmore Mayor Michael Ells get dunked at noon.
When Strathmore Canadian Tire started participating in the campaign in 2011, they helped 21 kids in the local area; each year since then that number has doubled. In 2014 they managed to fund 278 local kids with an amount that came to $32,301.