The number of overweight Canadian children has become an epidemic, and Statistics Canada reports prevalence rates continue to rise.
However, some children aren’t able to access these opportunities because of limited family resources and, in some communities, the programs just don’t exist.
That’s where the Canadian Tire Jumpstart program comes in. Jumpstart is a national charitable program that helps financially disadvantaged kids get in the game by covering registration, equipment and/or transportation costs.
“We all need to send our kids out to play,” said Andrew Pipe, of the University of Ottawa Heart Institute. “It’s time we helped them rediscover the joy of physically active play – roaring around on bicycles or roller blades, playing pick-up soccer in the park, shooting hoops in the driveway – every day should be a play day. Their health depends upon it.”
Help kids get active by supporting Jumpstart Day on May 28. For every $1 donated, Canadian Tire will add $2.
National in scope, but local in its focus, Jumpstart delivers support to kids through a Canada-wide network of 300 local chapters. One hundred per cent of the funds raised will go directly to help financially disadvantaged kids through the program.
To learn more, please go to www.canadiantire.ca/jumpstart.
News Canada