CELEBRATE KIDSPORT™ WEEK

KidSport™ Week in Saskatchewan (May 1st to 8th) focuses on increasing awareness and support for needy children to participate in sport.

KidSport™ is a charity organization that works through 32 local volunteer committees across Saskatchewan to direct funding to children who cannot participate in sport because of financial restrictions.

"Participation by young people in sport is important in developing the self-confidence, discipline and skills they need to grow into healthy leaders in our communities," Culture, Youth and Recreation Minister Joan Beatty said. "KidSport™ is a leader in ensuring more children can participate in community sport programs."

"KidSport™ Week is a time to raise funds and create awareness so that needy children will be able to participate in local sport programs," KidSport™ Saskatchewan Volunteer Chairperson Don McDougall said. "Since 1994 KidSport™ has raised $1.3 million enabling more than 13,000 Saskatchewan children to participate in sports programs, who may not have otherwise had the opportunity."

During KidSport™ Week local businesses can get involved by allowing employees to dress casual or wear their favourite sports attire in exchange for a donation to their local KidSport™ committee. Local committees will also be holding hotdog sales, sponsored by Coca-Cola bottling and Mitchell's Gourmet Foods, at various locations to raise money. The Powerade Fun and Fitness Corporate Challenge is also taking place May 1st at the University of Regina.

Local KidSport™ committees operate in the communities of Asquith, Battlefords, Biggar, Carlyle, Estonia, Esterhazy, Eston, Fort Qu'Appelle, Indian Head, Kerrobert, Kindersley, Kipling, Lloydminster, Melfort, Melville, Montmartre, Nipawin, Prince Albert, Regina, Rosetown, Saskatoon, Shaunavon, Strasbourg, Swift Current, Unity, Vibank, Weyburn, Windthorst, Wynyard, Yorkton and the Pipestone Qu'Appelle and Badlands region.

Parents fill out applications on behalf of their children and each child can apply for up to $200 a year to cover registration fees and equipment.

KidSport™ Week also takes place during International Youth Week, which is always celebrated the first week in May.

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For More Information, Contact:

Janet Peters Culture, Youth and Recreation Regina Phone: (306) 787-4967

Corilynn Tymiak KidSport™ Saskatchewan Regina Phone: (306) 780-9345