KidSport is setting up shop in Fort Frances, with a cheque ceremony to denote its official launch during the Fort Frances Jr. Sabres game tomorrow night.
The launch—more than a year in the making—will see the government-sponsored program promote sport participation among youth and drum up funds, equipment, and other necessities for local children who otherwise would be unable to afford organized sports.
The cheque passing at centre ice will “just be a short presentation” during the first intermission of the Sabres’ game against the visiting Schreiber Diesels, KidSport Fort Frances committee member Miranda Sigurdson said.
Lyle Abbott, provincial manager of KidSport Ontario, will be on hand for the presentation to mark the $3,000 cash infusion and six sets of hockey equipment courtesy of Nike Bauer bestowed to start up the local chapter.
Afterwards, cake will be served and information will be distributed downstairs at the Memorial Sports Centre, Sigurdson noted.
“It’s going to be downstairs in the atrium, so you don’t necessarily have to buy a ticket to the hockey game to go,” she remarked.
The presentation is mainly a formality, Sigurdson stressed, adding the local chapter already has matched up players to the donated equipment and started the ball rolling to connect with youth in need.
“We’ve already helped out children in the community,” she said.
Abbott also will visit Rainy River over the weekend to open its local chapter, as well as check up on the progress of developing chapters throughout Northwestern Ontario.
A plan for a FunZone event, a promotional and fundraising event to attract attention to the local chapter, originally was slated for Sunday but will be postponed until the summer to co-incide with sports seasons opening up in the warmer months, Sigurdson said.
Plans are tentative, but KidSport would like for the FunZone to coincide with the Fort Frances Canadian Bass Championship in July for maximum exposure.
“We’re hoping to get a lot more children involved in the summer sports like hockey soccer and baseball again,” Sigurdson remarked.
Abbott, in an October interview, said the Fort Frances chapter was “breaking new ground,” as the 24th chapter in Ontario—and the first west of Hornepayne.
Both Sigurdson and chapter secretary Elaine Fischer can be contacted at the Northwestern Health Unit at 274-9827 for more information about KidSport.
Donations, which can be earmarked to specific chapters such as the one in Fort Frances, also can be made at KidSport Ontario’s website at www.kidsport.on.ca
KidSport is a children’s charitable organization, formed in 1993 and currently operating in every province and one territory in Canada. As of the opening of these two district chapters, KidSport will operate 175 nationwide.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
