Sweep! Thanks to generous donors and participants, a charity bonspiel for KidStart held at the Campbell River Curling Club on Oct. 25 raised more than $1,800.
Organizer and longtime KidStart volunteer Terry Kratzmann said, “I believe in KidStart so much I ran the length of Vancouver Island in 2012 to raise awareness and funds for the program. Now I’m happy to be doing another fundraiser so that more kids who need it can benefit from KidStart.”
KidStart is a volunteer-based mentoring program offered by The John Howard Society of North Island (JHSNI). The program connects volunteer mentors with children ages 6-18 for three or more hours of recreational fun per week.
“KidStart makes a difference in children’s lives by giving them one-to-one support from positive, consistent role models,” said Tara Jordan, Campbell River KidStart Coordinator.
The KidStart Bonspiel featured 16 teams who played three four-end games each. Two novices were coached by two experienced players on each team.
Curlers and their supporters had the opportunity to enter a reverse draw raffle with only 64 tickets sold.
The top three prize winners were Rhonda Buysse (first prize: two-night stay donated by Taku Resort on Quadra Island), Alan Storr (second prize: whale watching tour for two donated by Campbell River Whale Watching), and Cynthia Lu (third prize: two rounds of golf at Storey Creek donated by Busy B’s Glass).
JHSNI would like to thank Tyee Chev Buick GMC, Campbell River Senior Curlers, and the Campbell River Curling Club for sponsoring this event, as well as all the raffle prize donors and curlers.
“We are grateful to everyone who participated for their support of local kids,” said Tara Jordan.
“Community donations are extremely important to keep KidStart going.”
For more information about KidStart, contact Tara at The John Howard Society of North Island: 250-286-0611 or tara@jhsni.bc.ca.