Jumpstart Charities gives kids a sporting chance. Participating in sport helps kids develop physical and social skills. It helps build self-esteem. By helping kids get into the game, we’re equipping them with determination. And we’re giving them confidence that will extend beyond practices and games.

No kid should be left on the sidelines but in Canada 1 in 3 families cannot afford to enroll their kids in organized sports. That’s almost 750,000 kids every year who want to play, but just can’t.

Jumpstart aims to change that. Across Canada, Jumpstart has 330 Chapters, which are made up of volunteers from across the Canadian Tire enterprise and local community groups, such as local Parks and Recreation Departments, Boys and Girls Clubs and the YMCA/YWCA, among others.

Money raised within each Chapter stays within the community and goes directly to help kids participate in sport, dance or other organized physical activities. Jumpstart funding helps families that need a financial hand with registration, equipment and/or transportation costs.

Jumpstart also helps community groups provide high-quality programs for local youth. From developing swimming programs to distributing activity kits filled with equipment, not only are the kids given the chance to participate, but local sport and school programs also benefit from Jumpstart’s help.

This year we are hitting our 1 millionth kid. How can Jumpstart help those kids dreaming on the sidelines? Sign them up. Suit them up. And get them in the game.

To learn more, please visit the Jumpstart website.