Jersey challenge bolsters KidSport
Webster's Corner Elementary students want to raise serious coin for children in sports
Webster’s Corners students Nayla MacCorkindale, Harmony Kline, Cassidy McKay, Elijah Baher, and Jane Wetherill are asking all students throughout the district to wear jerseys on Friday and donate a toonie to support local kids who can’t afford to take part in sports.
Photograph by: Maria Rantanen , TIMES
It's not just because the NHL is back.
But the timing is good for a Jersey Day fundraiser whereby Webster's Corners Elementary is challenging students and staff at all schools in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows, as well as the staff at the two municipal halls to wear a jersey - for any sport - and donate at least a toonie to the local chapter of KidSport.
Tanya Dailey, principal at the east Maple Ridge school, and the school's culture club want to focus their fundraising efforts locally, and after helping the Friends In Need Food Bank and the Caring Place already this school year, they want to help low-income families get their kids taking part in sports.
It is part of the school's "pay it forward" philosophy.
"I think it's important to keep focused locally," Dailey said.
"Kids can relate [to issues] closer to home."
The culture club students take part in sports themselves, from cheer leading to basketball, and they want other kids to have the same opportunities.
"Some people don't have enough money to do sports, and we want them to have a chance to do sports... when they really want to," said Grade 5 student and culture club member Nayla MacCorkindale.
Dailey and her students want to raise $5,000 this Friday.
They have delivered donation cans to all six high schools and all elementary schools throughout the two communities. There is also a donation jar at Cooper's Foods on Dewdney Trunk Road and 240th Street, and at Save-On-Foods at Valley Fair Mall.
Students and staff are encouraged to donate at least a toonie, but larger amounts will also be accepted.
Cheques can be made out to KidSport or to Webster's Corners Elementary.
Next week, the school's culture club will start its giant math lesson of counting the money.
The District of Maple Ridge is encouraging its staff to take part in the jersey day fundraiser, and a jersey day bucket will be at the front desk at municipal hall.
"We hear time and time again how much this program has impacted individuals and families," said Fred Armstrong, communications manager for the District.
For more information on the local chapter of KidSport, email the president Len Walters at lenndeb@telus.net.
