YORKTON - The ‘Give the Gift of Sport’ campaign has raised $9450 for Yorkton Kidsport.
The campaign has been in place for about a decade in Saskatchewan, and in its third year in Yorkton, said Doug Jonassen with the local organization.
Jonassen said last year the campaign also raised about $10,000 which doubled year one, so the campaign is finding a solid level of support in the city.
Ran through December the program is designed so that individual and businesses can make a donation. Jonassen said for example individuals might opt to give a donation to Kidsport and maybe buy one less gift during the season. He added businesses were also good at challenging other businesses and that helped too.
“I think Kidsport is getting better known in the community.
That is good news in terms of fundraising, but it also means demand grows too.
In 2023 the local Kidsport group handed out around $25,000 to help get some 69 youth be involved in a range of sport activities in the city and area, said Jonassen.
In 2024 that grew to some $35,000, he added.
The growth in demand shows more families are seeking some added help to keep youth involved in organized sport, said Jonassen.
In terms of fundraising the ‘Goals For Kidsport’ in ongoing. That campaign, explained Jonassen began with the Yorkton Kinsmen pledging $50 for every home goal the Yorkton Junior Terriers score this season. Nine other businesses jumped on board to pledge $10 per goal, meaning every goal the Terriers score on home ice is worth $140 to Kidsport.
As of Jan. 3, Jonassen said that initiative has raised near $7,500.
“The community is just great when it comes to supporting kids,” he said.
