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Lions and champions help kids play sports

KidSport Sunshine Coast
Coast Reporter Staff
kidsport
Community-minded Greg Russell has stepped forward as the next KidSport Sunshine Coast Community Champion. His donation to the program this year will provide eight children with $250 grants to go toward registration fees in a sport of their choice. “I continue to support this program as there are many children in our community who could use help in playing sports,” Russell said. “Registration fees are the first step in the commitment of being on a team or participating in an individual sport. I’m aware of how expensive it can be to participate in sports, so I am glad to have the opportunity to help some children.” Russell has been an annual KidSport Community Champion since 2009. One hundred per cent of his contribution goes directly to the Sunshine Coast community. The Community Champion innovative program allows individuals, businesses and organizations to provide youth with a chance to play sports.

KidSport Sunshine Coast is thrilled to have the continued support of the Sunshine Coast Lions Club.

The Lions partnered with KidSport six years ago and since that time have made a commitment to sponsor Sechelt and area youth in any B.C.-recognized sport of the child’s choice. To date they have donated an amazing $31,606 – supporting 183 kids in sports. None of these children would have been able to participate in their chosen sport without this financial support.

The KidSport Commit-tee attended the Saturday meat draw that the Sun-shine Coast Lions holds at Gilligan’s Pub in Sechelt to raise money for local charities. They presented the Lions with a 2015 Community Championship certificate, commending them on their community support.

Carol Duff, co-chair, stated that all money received from the Sunshine Coast Lions Club goes directly to children on the Coast. “We have been able to help many, many children because of the generosity of Sunshine Coast Lions!”

Diane Wagner, co-chair, added, “The Lions’ weekly meat raffles raise money in the community for organizations such as KidSport. These members are dedicated in their cause to help our youth and we thank the community for supporting them at their events.”

For more information about KidSport Sunshine Coast, contact any one of the directors: Duff, Wagner, Brent Rottluff, Christen Redford, Kelsey Dunn, Jim Gray and Tom Hierck.

Grant applications forms are at all SD46 schools and sport organizations on the Coast. Thanks to the principals of School District No. 46 schools, who continue to act as adjudicators.

To date, KidSport Sunshine Coast has not turned a child away, thanks to the support of organizations such as the Sunshine Coast Lions Club.

If you wish to be a community champion and help level the playing field “So ALL Kids Can Play,” contact Wagner at 604-886-8510 or Duff at 604-886-9766.