Media Releases
January 12th , 2006
RONA After School Skate To Address Community Club Equipment Needs
Winnipeg – KidSport Manitoba in conjunction with RONA and participating elementary schools today announced a new initiative that will encourage and enable more of Winnipeg’s less privileged children to become physically active.
The RONA After School Skate will provide three community centres with much needed equipment that will be made available to children at their leisure.
"Next to the cost of program registration, the biggest obstacle facing disadvantaged kids from active participation is cost and accessibility of equipment," said Jeff Palamar, KidSport Manitoba Chair. "By having equipment available for use at their community club, more children can enjoy the benefits of being active and enjoy a healthier lifestyle."
During the week of January 23rd to 27th, participating schools that have been designated KidSport School Zones will be conducting equipment drives to collect skates and helmets. The goal is to provide at least 50 pairs of skates and 50 helmets for each of three community clubs.
The school collecting the most equipment per capita will receive a $2,500 gift certificate from RONA that the school can apply to a beautification project and students will be treated to a skating party at the MTS Centre.
"From its earliest beginnings, RONA has been supporting the communities we serve, and today we are very proud to be helping develop a program that will help underprivileged youth take up sport and aspire to a better quality of life,"said Darin Lemieux, Manager, Rona Winnipeg Central Home and Garden.
Participating schools include Beaverlodge School, Bairdmore Elementary, Heritage School, Oakenwald School, Frontenac School, OV Jewitt School, Chapman School, R.H.G. Bonnycastle School, General Vanier School, Dr. D.W. Penner School, Archwood School, George McDowell School and Niakwa Place School.
The skates and helmets collected will go to Orioles, Norquay and Sinclair Park Community Centres.
KidSport is a children’s charity administered by Sport Manitoba that provides registration fees and sports equipment for families of children who cannot afford their participation in sport.
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Footnote:
The 13 Winnipeg schools combined to collect 340 pairs of skates and 75 helmets for the three community centers. The school that collected the most equipment per capita was Beaverlodge.
For more information contact:
Tess Wilson
Provincial KidSport Manager
926-8351
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