UNITY — When you see groups of kids on the community’s ball diamonds, soccer fields or at the pool this summer, you don’t give a moment’s thought to how their participation fees were funded.
Unity’s KidSport program works year-round to help ensure that no kids are forced to sit on the sidelines because of a family’s budget constraints.
Since 1995, the KidSport Saskatchewan program has been a driving force in removing the barriers of participating in sport. A parent testimonial on the website says, “KidSport has given my daughters opportunities I couldn’t have given them, taught them real life skills I couldn’t tach them and gave them confidence in public, friendship, teamwork and good sportsmanship.”
Regardless of the size of donations made to the Unity KidSport program, big or small, kids benefits from them all.
“Our organization has happily been able to assist 10 youth this year and applications are starting to roll in for fall and winter sports programs,” says Parks and Recreation Director Lisa Feser who is a Unity KidSport committee member.
“The committee said they generally see about 10 more applications for the last half of the year.”
Any donation the organization receives directly benefits kids in the community who would otherwise not have an opportunity to participate in sports programs. In Saskatchewan last year $1,055,941 was granted to Saskatchewan youth that helped get 4,661 kids off the sidelines.
“At Kidsport every donation is so appreciated,” Feser says.
“We have corporate donations from numerous companies. Usually, they do a fundraising event with proceeds going to us. We are blessed to have such a good relationship with so many businesses that offer monetary help.”
Feser says individual donations are also valued.
“The impact statements we read about online are wonderful. But when we see kids learning to swim or get to be part of a hockey team right here in our own town well, its just amazing. Every kid deserves that opportunity,” says Feser.
You can read about KidSport Saskatchewan and their success stories, or make a donation on their website
