Campaign Aims to Raise $1.5
Million to Help Kids Participate in Organized Sport
TORONTO,
May 1, 2013 /CNW/ - Today, Canadian
Tire Jumpstart Charities kicks off the month long Red Ball campaign, urging Canadians to
help get kids off the sidelines and into the game. For the month of
May, the coast-to-coast effort aims to raise $1.5 million in customer donations, culminating
with the fifth annual Jumpstart Day on Saturday, May 25, 2013.
One in three Canadian families cannot afford to enrol their
children in organized sports or recreational activities and
Jumpstart helps by reducing financial barriers. During the month of
May, Canadians are encouraged to make a $2 donation in exchange for a Jumpstart red ball
at Canadian Tire Retail, Mark's, Sport Chek, Atmosphere and
Gas+ locations. Additionally, all funds raised through
the campaign stay in the community and go towards benefitting local
children.
"It's hard to imagine that the number of children in
Canada who can't afford to get in
the game is more than the entire population of New Brunswick," said Johnny Misley, President, Canadian Tire
Jumpstart Charities. "We help families in communities across the
country by covering costs like equipment, registration and
transportation. We also lend support to unique initiatives aimed at
increasing access to sport and recreational programs."
Over the past eight years, Jumpstart has helped more than
570,000 (and counting) kids across Canada: "All children deserve a chance to play
and Canadians can make a real difference by picking up a red ball
and making a donation during the month of May," continued
Misley.
Leading up to Jumpstart Day on May
25, participating stores and partners will host local events
across the country:
- Trampoline Day with Rosie
MacLennan: Canadian Tire customers can spend the
afternoon with Olympic Gold Medalist Rosie
MacLennan. Rosie will demonstrate her moves and kids will
have a chance to try their own tricks on trampolines set-up by
Springfree™ Trampoline. Customers can also meet Rosie, have an
autograph signed and photo taken. The event will be held at the
Canadian Tire store at 1608 The Queensway, Etobicoke, ON, on Saturday, May 4, at 11:00
am.
- Sport Chek and Atmosphere Stores: This year Jumpstart is
proud to welcome Sport Chek and Atmosphere stores (English market),
to the family. Throughout the month of May, customers can make a
$2 donation in return for a little
red ball at Sport Chek and Atmosphere locations.
- Pita Pit: Jumpstart has received support from beyond the
enterprise family and for the second year in the row Pita Pit
locations across Canada will
support the red ball campaign. Canadians can visit their nearby
Pita Pit throughout the month of May and on Jumpstart Day to make a
$2 donation in exchange for a red
ball and receive a coupon for $1 off
their next Pita Pit purchase.
- Buffalo Wild Wings: All Buffalo Wild Wings locations
across Canada will dedicate every
Wednesday in May to the Jumpstart campaign. The "Eat Wings Raise
Funds" event asks customers to bring in a coupon from the
restaurants' website and Buffalo Wild Wings will make a donation to
Jumpstart.
- Jumpstart Day at Canadian Tire Stores: At participating
Canadian Tire stores across the country, on Saturday, May 25, customers can take part in a
variety of fun activities including charity barbeques or GoClean
waterless car washes.
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About Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities
Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities is a national charitable program
dedicated to providing financially disadvantaged kids with the
opportunity to experience the benefits of organized sport and
recreation. With an extensive, national network of more than 332
local chapters, Jumpstart helps kids in communities across
Canada by covering the costs
associated with registration, equipment and/or transportation.
Supported by the Canadian Tire Family of Companies, which
includes Canadian Tire Retail, PartSource, Gas+, Sport Chek,
Atmosphere, Mark's and Canadian Tire Financial Services, Jumpstart
has enabled more than 570,000 Canadian kids and counting to get in
the game since 2005. For more information or to lend your support,
visit jumpstart.canadiantire.ca.
Follow us on:
www.facebook.com/CTJumpstart
www.twitter.com/#!/ctjumpstart
www.youtube.com/user/CTJumpstartCharities
SOURCE CANADIAN TIRE CORPORATION, LIMITED