It was a day of fun and activity for more than 100 Yorkton and area youth Sunday thanks to a Jumpstart event at the Nexera Flexihall.
Three Canadian Tire stores in Canada were chosen to host the events, Yorkton, along with Montreal and Toronto, explained local owner David Dungey.
The event was won through a promotion with Castrol, with $10,000 made available to host activities for youth.
"It was great to have the chance to bring the JumpStart Games to Yorkton," said Dungey. " It's a lot of fun being able to do it for the community, and seeing kids having a great time."
The Jumpstart Games are intended to provide a fun day for children in predominantly high risk communities, where they can build teamwork skills and interact with other children their age.
Employee volunteers from the Canadian Tire Family of Companies (Canadian Tire, Mark's, and FGL Sports) facilitated the Jumpstart Games for 125 kids from the Yorkton region, while helping to meet the diverse skills, needs and abilities of all children present, noted material provided by the company.
Dungey said it was also important to recognize local partners, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Yorkton, the Yorkton Boys and Girls Club, and the City of Yorkton. Each was responsible for bringing youth to the event.
Dungey said it's good to see youth being active. He said it was great seeing youth being active, and out from behind the television, video games, and cellphones.
"Studies have shown that sport and physical activity help kids develop athletic skills, while building self-esteem, social skills, concentration and character. It also helps them learn how to work together, how to share and how to lead," noted the release.
Jumpstart is a national charity dedicated to providing financially disadvantaged kids with the opportunity to experience the benefits of organized sport and physical activities.
Since 2005 Jumpstart Charities has enabled over 795,000 kids between the ages of four through 18 to get in the game.
In Yorkton, Jumpstart has disbursed over $180,300 and has helped over 1,180 kids participate in sports and physical activities.
Jumpstart supports involvement in 76 sports and physical activities including: hockey, swimming, soccer, basketball, dance, yoga, climbing, martial arts and more. Jumpstart kids are able to select their own activities, reflecting their individual interests and physical needs.
