The Canadian Paralympic Committee and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities Partner for Second Year to Help Kids with a Disability Get Involved in Sport and Recreation

OTTAWA, Feb. 28, 2014 /CNW/ - The Canadian Paralympic Committee and Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities today announced the second year of their commitment to the Parasport Jumpstart Fund, an initiative which helps kids with disabilities from financially disadvantaged families participate in organized sports and recreational programs. Investment in the 2014 Parasport Jumpstart Fund will increase from $100,000 to $150,000 to help even more kids living with disabilities get in the game.

The Parasport Jumpstart Fund will assist with the costs associated with registration, equipment and/or transportation for children between the ages of four and 18, who come from financially disadvantaged families and are living with a disability. The Fund will enable children to participate in approved parasport programs.

"We are proud to announce the second year of our partnership with the Canadian Paralympic Committee so we can give even more kids living with physical disabilities a sporting chance," said Johnny Misley, President of Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities. "Last year we gave over 290 Canadian kids living with disabilities in nine different provinces the opportunity to develop the confidence, social skills and discipline that comes from organized sport and we look forward to helping even more children in 2014."

The Parasport Jumpstart Fund also supports the creation of a new program or the expansion of an existing successful initiative. Last year, over $77,500 was invested in approved parasport programs in communities across Canada.

In addition, Canadian sport and community groups are invited to apply for the 2014 Parasport Jumpstart Fund.

"The Parasport Jumpstart Fund is a great initiative that will help more Canadian children with a disability get involved in organized and recreational sports," said François Robert, Executive Director of Partnerships for the Canadian Paralympic Committee. "Jumpstart's investment in grassroots sports programming is exactly what is needed to help grow parasport opportunities across the country."

Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities will be accepting 2014 applications to the Parasport Jumpstart Fund beginning Friday February 28, 2014 and closing Friday November 28, 2014. Funds will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

For information on eligibility and how to apply, please visit: www.paralympic.ca/jumpstart.

About the Canadian Paralympic Committee
The Canadian Paralympic Committee is a non-profit, private organization with 25 member sports organizations dedicated to strengthening the Paralympic Movement. The Canadian Paralympic Committee's vision is to be the world's leading Paralympic nation. Its mission is to lead the development of a sustainable Paralympic sport system in Canada to enable athletes to reach the podium at the Paralympic Games. By supporting Canadian high performance athletes with a disability and promoting their success, the Canadian Paralympic Committee inspires all Canadians with a disability to get involved in sport through programs delivered by its member organizations. For more information, visit www.paralympic.ca.

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About Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities
Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities is a nationally registered charity dedicated to providing kids from disadvantaged families with the opportunity to experience the benefits of organized sport and recreation. With an extensive, national network of more than 330 local Chapters, Jumpstart helps kids in communities across Canada by covering the costs associated with registration, equipment and/or transportation.

Supported by the Canadian Tire Family of Companies, which includes Canadian Tire Retail, PartSource, Gas+, Sport Chek, Atmosphere, National Sports, Mark's and Canadian Tire Financial Services, Jumpstart has enabled more than 700,000 Canadian kids and counting to get in the game since 2005. For more information or to lend your support, visit www.jumpstart.canadiantire.ca.

SOURCE: Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC)

Stuart McReynolds
Senior Coordinator, Education Programs
Canadian Paralympic Committee
Phone: [phone] x244
Email: [email protected]

Candice Bruton
Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities and Canadian Tire Corporation
Phone: [phone]
Cell: 647-287-9582
Email: [email protected]