Mayors take risk for KidSport

 

Low-income children can do sports thanks to elementary school's initiative

 
 
 
 
District of Maple Ridge staff and Mayor Ernie Daykin were clad in jerseys on Friday to raise money for KidSport.
 

District of Maple Ridge staff and Mayor Ernie Daykin were clad in jerseys on Friday to raise money for KidSport.

Photograph by: Maria Rantanen , TIMES

It looks like the Mayor of Pitt Meadows will be wearing a Maple Ridge pin at the next City council meeting.

After a friendly rivalry arose between the two municipalities over who could raise more money for KidSport, Maple Ridge won by a couple hundred dollars.

Numbers are trickling in from Friday’s Jersey Day, an event organized by Webster’s Corners Elementary students and their culture club.

The City of Pitt Meadows raised $106 and the District of Maple Ridge, about $350.

The central school board office on Brown Avenue also had a jersey day can and they raised $66.

While at first schools in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows were invited to take part, they were joined by staff from Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, and the school board office.

Tanya Dailey, principal of Webster’s Corners Elementary, who is also on the board of KidSport, was delighted on Monday morning with the participation in Jersey Day and the giving spirit in the community.

“What a great community we are living in... they want the best for all kids,” she said.

A final total is expected next week after all cans are returned to Webster’s Corners Elementary. So far, Hammond Elementary reported they raised $400, and Pitt Meadows Elementary, about $300.

Dailey would like the event to become an annual tradition and she is already planning a “JJ Day” for next year – Jeans and Jersey Day.

“This year is just the start,” Dailey said. “Next year we’re going bigger.”

Being part of sports is part of growing up, said Maple Ridge Mayor Ernie Daykin who was sporting a Team Canada jersey on Friday. He remembered playing football and baseball as a youngster and learning discipline during many practises.

“Those were life lessons that I learned on the field,” Daykin said.

The “beauty” of KidSport is that it opens up sports opportunities for kids, and he said he believed “busy kids make better choices” in life.

But he also appreciated the fact that kids at Webster’s Corners Elementary came up with the idea themselves, springing into action.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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District of Maple Ridge staff and Mayor Ernie Daykin were clad in jerseys on Friday to raise money for KidSport.
 

District of Maple Ridge staff and Mayor Ernie Daykin were clad in jerseys on Friday to raise money for KidSport.

Photograph by: Maria Rantanen , TIMES

 
District of Maple Ridge staff and Mayor Ernie Daykin were clad in jerseys on Friday to raise money for KidSport.
The District Education Office staff on Brown Avenue also wore jerseys, donating money to the charity that helps low-income kids participate in sports.
Pitt Meadows City staff showed their support for KidSport by wearing jerseys on Friday, attempting to beat out their "rivals" in Maple Ridge in amount raised.
 
 
 
 
 
 

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