Canadian Tire is making sure families living at the Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Cold Lake have every opportunity to get out and be active.
Since 2005 the Canadian Tire Jumpstart program has helped over 1.3 million children across Canada with registration, transportation, and equipment costs related to playing sports.
In support of Canadian Armed Forces Recreation Month, the company will be donating a total of $300,000 in sporting equipment and gift cards to military bases across the country. This includes a $4,500 contribution to CFB Cold Lake.
The announcement came during Cold Lake's first ever Jumpstart Games on Thursday, June 15. Students from the Art Smith Aviation Academy (ASAA)we're invited to the J.J. Parr Sports Centre to take part in various activities and team building exercises.
The Sports Network (TSN) reporter Gord Miller was on hand to help make the announcement on behalf of Canadian Tire. He explained to the crowd why it was important for Jumpstart to be focusing on contributing to the Canadian military.
“I went to Afghanistan in 2011 and did some base visits there. One of the things I heard around a lot of the bases from families was the sports equipment wasn't as good as it could be. I approached Canadian Tire asking what we could do about this, and they put together a program to donate sports equipment to all the bases, across Canada.”
Commander of 4 Wing Col. Paul Doyle, and Chief Warrant Officer (CWO) Alain Roy accepted the equipment and a plaque commemorating the occasion.
After making it very clear to students that ASAA teacher Donovan Pinsky cheats at noodle hockey, Doyle extended thanks on behalf of 4 Wing and the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).
“June is recreation month, and it's a big thing for us to be active. A lot of this stuff that we have here is going to make sure that we're able to do just that,” said Doyle.
Elaborating on the program, Miller noted another major benefit that stems from the contribution is everybody will be included, regardless of their financial situation.
“The second component to this is each base is now a Jumpstart partner. Kids who live on the base will be able to take part in sports. If there's financial issues involved, through Jumpstart the kids will be able to play. It makes a difference not just for members of the forces but also for their families,” Miller explained.
To further back his point and to really get excitement going, Miller brought with him two of Canada's most iconic athletes. Four -time Olympic gold medalist Hayley Wickenheiser and Stanley Cup champion Lanny McDonald, both of whom had unique reasons for wanting to take part in the Jumpstart program.
Wickenheiser said the program hits close to home because she has a son who she believes will one day serve with the armed forces.
“It's quite personal for me because my son is on his way into the military in some capacity I believe. He's in the cadets and has been for several years. Because of that I really understand the significance of them and what they do for Canada. What Jumpstart has done Canada-wide has been phenomenal. Their commitment to military bases and families across the country... it's pretty huge.”
McDonald, much like Miller, drew inspiration from visits with troops in Afghanistan. Upon seeing how they operate, he was filled with pride.
“I had the pleasure of going to Afghanistan three different years to visit the troops. I thought I knew a lot about our Canadian Armed Forces, but when you go overseas and see how good they are, not only at their job but in the way they're looked up to by the rest of the world, it's something else,” McDonald recalled.
He continued, “I think every team regardless of whether they're in the NHL, the CFL, or whatever league they're in, should spend some time with our armed forces.”
Before he was able to say much more, eager fans looking for pictures and autographs swarmed him. Though it was hard to tell if it was McDonald or the kids giving off more energy.
Of course, that all comes with the territory when you're the man with the best moustache in all of sport. McDonald was more than happy to oblige to fans' requests if it meant getting the Jumpstart message across to kids.
A message both McDonald and Miller agree is very simple: just be active.
“The biggest thing for kids to know is it doesn't have to be about competitive sports, it's not always about being on a team or playing at a high level, it's about being active,” stated Miller. “It doesn't even have to be playing a sport, just walking to school as opposed to getting a ride or being outside as opposed to being inside on your devices makes such a difference.”
With new equipment from across the sport spectrum, whether it be football, basketball, volleyball, tennis, or hockey, the hardest part of getting active for families living on the base will be choosing where to start.
