Sept. 6-13 is KidSport Week in British Columbia, and for KidSport Cowichan chair Deb Savory Wright, there is no better time to remind the community that the organization is out there.
The purpose of KidSport Cowichan is to provide financial assistance for children from throughout the Cowichan Valley Regional District who might not otherwise have an opportunity to play sports.
“We’re trying to increase awareness,” Savory Wright said. “I honestly believe there’s a whole community out there that doesn’t know about us.”
KidSport Cowichan has provided more than $100,000 in assistance to more than 650 kids since they began providing grants in early 2011.
“It was kind of a shock to me when we did our numbers,” Savory Wright said. “It just amazes me. We don’t often go, ‘hey, look at us.’ We just do the work. We’re really excited about the number of kids we’ve been able to help.”
Eight dedicated board members determine where KidSport Cowichan’s money goes.
“They all have a 100 per cent commitment and no agenda, except to raise dollars to kids can play sports,” Savory Wright said.
KidSport’s money is generated entirely through fundraising efforts, and the group doesn’t ask for money from local governments. One of the major fundraisers is a silent auction at the North Cowichan/Duncan Sports Wall of Fame induction ceremony. Although they don’t ask for it, KidSport is often the “charity of choice” for fundraising events in the Valley.
“We’ve been very fortunate that when people do hear about us, it resonates with them,” Savory Wright said.
For KidsSport Week — which has been officially declared by Lt. Gov. Judith Guichon — KidSport Cowichan will be looking to raise awareness on Facebook by increasing likes and shares on their page with new success stories throughout the week.
It’s not part of KidSport Week, but KidSport Cowichan is also preparing for a fundraising golf tournament later this month. On Sept. 25, they will host “Swing Fore the Kids,” a fun nine-hole scramble-format event. In the spirit of sports bringing the community together, they are hoping to get people who got to know each other when their kids played together to reconnect and play together in the tournament. The $80 entry fee includes dinner and a cart rental, as well as a chance to win a new vehicle from Saunders Subaru with a hole in one.
For more information about the golf tournament or about KidSport’s work in the community, visit www.kidsportcanada.ca/british-columbia/cowichan or email kidsport.cowichan@gmail.com
