It was a cause that everyone could get behind at the Canadian Tire Dunk Tank for Jumpstart fundraiser on May 27.
Ten volunteers braved the cold to get dunked at $5 for 3 balls or $20 for a sure dunk with all funds raised going to local kids in need.
Joe Mohr with Canadian Tire and the chair of the JumpStart committee says that anyone in the area can apply to JumpStart to help with registration or equipment costs.
“It’s really just about getting kids active,” he says.
Last year the Humboldt chapter raised over $15,000 for 98 kids receiving funding for various sports programs from dance to karate to figure skating to swimming lessons.
“Any activity is supported, which is great,” says Mohr.
There is the opportunity for more people to receive funding from the program, says Mohr, with JumpStart Humboldt even having funds left over.
“We struggle a bit with getting enough people to give the money to,” laughs Mohr.
The main message they want to get out, says Mohr, is that they are there help out if a kid wants to join sports but need a little bit of a hand covering costs.
Amy Hogemann with Big Brothers Big Sisters Humboldt says that she really believes in what JumpStart is doing and as a kid growing up in the Humboldt area, she could not imagine growing up without sports.
Hogemann, along with members from the Humboldt and District Community Services, Humboldt Regional Newcomers Centre, PARTNERS Family Services, and the City of Humboldt all can take in applications for JumpStart and help the family access services, she says.
“It’s a costly thing to get your kids into sports, especially where we’re looking at hockey and things that need a lot of equipment. If we can help those families and give them a little bit of a break...that’s what we’re here for.”
As the chair, Mohr also says he did not really have much of a choice when getting dunked but it certainly was worth it.
“We want to raise as much money as we can today,” he said.
Dave Doepker put himself in the dunk tank because getting kids into sports is very important, especially when all the money stays local.
The dunk tank fundraiser is also the kick off to JumpStart month with donations being collected in store throughout the month of June.
