Cassie Campbell Teams up with Energizer Canada to Raise Funds for Kids’ Sports Programs in Disadvantaged Communities

TORONTO, March 5 – One in three Canadian families cannot afford to send its children to an organized sports program, according to Canadian Tire JumpStart. Olympic gold medalist and nationally celebrated women’s hockey hero Cassie Campbell took to the ice today with a group of kids to launch a fundraising drive to help change those odds.The drive aims to raise funds for Canadian Tire JumpStart, a not-for-profit program dedicated to providing kids in financial need with the opportunity to engage in organized sports and recreation. To kick off the drive, Energizer has donated $10,000 to Canadian Tire JumpStart. Campbell is challenging corporations and citizens to follow Energizer’s lead, with the goal of reaching $20,000 in donations by March 31, 2009.

“I applaud Energizer for taking the initiative to raise awareness about this important issue and for helping to fund what is a critical but under funded aspect of children’s lives,” said Campbell. “We know many families can’t afford to have their kids participate in organized sports, and it’s really a shame, because it’s through sports that they learn the invaluable qualities of socialization, teamwork, dedication and stamina.”

Today’s launch included a children’s hockey skills clinic led by Campbell at the Don Montgomery Community Recreational Centre in the community of Kennedy Park in Toronto.

“These programs provide children with the life benefits of organized sport and recreation which helps them with purpose and focus in their lives,” said Dan Thompson, president, Canadian Tire Foundation for Families. It is our goal in 2009 to help 55,000 children get active in communities across Canada. Energizer’s partnership with Campbell extends beyond the fundraising drive. Energizer selected Campbell as the face of an in-store Eveready Gold battery promotion launching March 7 at Canadian Tire stores across the country.
The foundation of the Eveready Gold battery platform invites Canadians to “Experience the Power of Gold,” which makes Campbell the ideal partner. “Energizer has a longstanding policy of giving back to the community,” said Energizer spokesperson Karyn Percival-Berry. “Organized sport is a fun and healthy means of getting kids to socialize with their peers and develop strong ethics and values that will carry them through life. This is perfectly in line with our “Keep Going” platform, which encourages kids to have the spirit, perseverance, and determination to reach their full potential in all areas of life.”

Those interested in making a donation should visit www.canadiantire.ca/jumpstart and click on the “Donate” button.

About Canadian Tire JumpStart
The Canadian Tire Foundation for Families is a charitable organization focused on building strong communities by providing a helping hand to families and children in need. In addition to community fundraising events and a crisis response network, the Canadian Tire Foundation for Families helps kids in need participate in organized sports and recreation through Canadian Tire JumpStart. Since its inception, Canadian Tire JumpStart has helped give over 150,000 kids in need the chance to play.

Handgames Players
Deh Cho Drum Online (Thurs Feb 12) reports that young handgames players in Fort Simpson are preparing for a challenge. The Deh Cho Friendship Centre has been offering traditional handgames workshops since October for young men ages 13 and older. The centre plans to take some of the players, who are over 16, to compete in the fourth annual Canadian Aboriginal Championship Handgames Tournament that will be held in Behchoko from Feb. 27 to March 1.