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Jumpstart campaign Saturday to help needy kids get to play

May 27, 2015   ·   0 Comments

It’s no secret that Orangeville is a community that loves its sports. From thriving minor hockey, soccer and baseball programs, to competitive leagues, adult leagues and more, Orangeville residents love to be involved in athletics. But with so many people participating, it often slips under the radar that without some form of community funding, many of these kids would not be able to afford to play.

The funding that helps put these kids on the field, in the net or on the ice comes from Jumpstart Charities, an organization created by Canadian Tire in 2005. Jumpstart was launched to address the inactivity of kids across the country due to lack of funds, and the program helps with the assistance of costs related to registration, equipment, and sometimes transportation.

“Jumpstart really is a big reality check for many of us,” explained Mike Lockey, Sales Manager of the Orangeville Mark’s Work Wearhouse. “For me personally, when I was young, I couldn’t afford to play hockey and so I understood the real need for something like Jumpstart. Orangeville is such a sports-heavy town, and you don’t really understand how in need it is until you see the number of kids benefitting from the program.”

In Orangeville alone last year, Jumpstart provided $46,232 to help 242 kids participate in local sports. One of the biggest benefits of Jumpstart is that all the funds that are raised locally stay local, so the money brought in through donations and different events is always going to directly help kids within the community.

On Saturday, it will be Jumpstart Day across Canada, as many supporters, including the Orangeville Mark’s, will be hosting day-long events to raise funds for their local programs.

“We’ve been a part of jumpstart for about three or four years now,” said Mr. Lockey. “We started out small, just helping the program, and it grew and grew, and now we are a substantial member. It’s a great cause, but it’s one of those things that flies under the radar.”

Mark’s Work Wearhouse Orangeville will be running a number of things throughout the day, as well as donating $2.00 from every transaction, and $1.00 from every clearance item sold. There will also be a bake sale with a number of different options available for $1 and $2, as well as a barbecue from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. with a burger or hot dog and drink for $3.00.

“Our staff will be hard at work the night before, baking up a storm in their kitchens,” said Mr. Lockey. “Mark’s will also be covering the cost of the barbecue, so that 100 percent of everything raised through the barbecue will go to the Jumpstart program.”

Their Red Ball campaign has also been going strong this year, with the red balls available for sale in store for $2.00 each, with 100 percent of those sales also going to Jumpstart. Last year, Mark’s was able to provide $7000 in donations to the program, and this year, their goal is $10,000.

“Our overall goal for the spring campaign is to raise $4500, but on Saturday we are aiming for $2000,” he added. “I really think this is something the Town should know about. Saturday is a great opportunity to come in and see us with all the activities we have going on, and every penny we raise will be donated to the program.”

The more funds that are raised, the more local kids have the opportunity to participate in sports, which do everything from help teach discipline and teamwork, to providing exercise opportunities and helping to keep kids active.

“This is a great organization and we are very proud to stand behind it,” said Mr. Lockey. “100 percent of every penny raised for Jumpstart actually stays in our community, helping our children. At Mark’s in Orangeville, our family has always been committed to the Jumpstart charity, but this year we are stepping up our game because there are far too many children in our area that don’t have the chance to play sports, which is such an important part of growing up.”

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