KidSport North Bay is celebrating a fundraising milestone.
As of last week, $1 million has been raised over the last decade to provide local youth with the opportunity to play organized sport.
Dave Mendicino, KidSport chair, says the 50/50 draw partnership with the North Bay Battalion has allowed them to expand the program, noting they used to offer funding assistance for only a handful of major sports.
“We’re now covering 18 different sporting activities, covering 37 different organizations across the city,” he says. “It’s allowed us to expand the program [and] approve 2600 grants over the last ten years.”
Mendicino also says the 50/50 is a win-win for everyone.
“We’ve raised a million dollars for KidSport, but a million dollars has also walked out of [Memorial Gardens] with the winners and they’ve spent that money in the community,” he adds.
Mendicino is also thanking Kidsport’s 45 volunteers, including its board, that oversee operations and sell 50/50 tickets during Battalion games.
“We’re extremely proud of our partnership with KidSport and are pleased to be able to assist in providing youth in our community with the opportunity to
experience the benefits of organized sport,” said North Bay Battalion President Mike Griffin.
KidSport’s $1 million milestone was highlighted with a ceremonial puck drop last Friday night.
