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By Bruce Campbell
Sports editor
A single mother in Okotoks knows that if her teenage boys are
playing sports it will help keep them focused and hopefully out of
trouble.
So when her financial situation changed a few years
ago, she was pleased that there was KidSport to help her pay for the
registration for minor hockey.
“Actually, I don’t know what I
would do if my children weren’t involved in sports,” said the
mother, who is not being named to protect the identity of her
children. “If they weren’t playing hockey, maybe they would be
hanging out at a convenience store or where they shouldn’t be —
hockey keeps them busy.”
KidSport Okotoks is hosting a street
hockey tournament this Saturday at 11 a.m. at Guardian Drugs on
Elizabeth Street to make parents more aware of the program.
The
mother is glad she became aware of KidSport Okotoks.
With hockey
registration at more than $800 a year for each age group, as a
single mom she needed some help — especially in September when she
is also facing the double whammy of back-to-school costs.
“With
hockey registration and having to buy equipment — with teenage boys
it seems you are buying knew equipment every year — it can cost
$3,500 before the kids even step on the ice. That’s difficult as a
single parent.”
She said fortunately, the Okotoks Minor Hockey
Association matches any funds from KidSport, further reducing the
cost for parents who may need some help.
She urged any parents
who need assistance to use KidSport.
“Oh absolutely,” she said,
stating that sometimes one’s life situations change and some help is
needed now and then. “It is completely confidential — I don’t’ even
think my children know.”
The street hockey tournament on Saturday
is a chance for families to get together to play a Canadian
tradition.
“We will be mixing parents with their kids,” said
KidSport Okotoks chairman Nick Ruigrok..
Anyone wishing to
donate sports equipment to KidSport Okotoks, make a financial
donation or has inquiries about the street hockey tournament, can
call KidSport Okotoks at 831-PLAY (7529) or e-mail
kidsport_okotoks@yahoo.ca |
