February 26, 2007

Kerry’s Catch for KidSport™ a huge success!

In 2006, SaskEnergy, KidSport™, Football Saskatchewan, and the Saskatchewan Roughriders teamed to create two Saskatchewan Roughrider Charity Calendars (a special ’66 Grey Cup edition along with the regular edition) in support of Kerry’s Catch for KidSport™ and amateur football programs across the province. The response to the calendars and Kerry’s Catch for KidSport™ was overwhelming!!

Calendars were sold throughout Saskatchewan by local KidSport™ committees and Football Saskatchewan members, through various retailers including the Rider Store, select Fine Foods locations, as well as other community minded retail locations.

Kerry’s Catch for KidSport™ was established in 2006 by Rider quarterback Kerry Joseph to raise funds for KidSport™ Saskatchewan. Throughout the regular season and playoffs, Joseph, Greystone Managed Investments, ServiceMaster, Fine Foods, Saskatchewan Lotteries and Mosaic donated a minimum of $10 per first down to help raise funds for KidSport™. In addition, other generous individuals made personal donations to the cause.

The calendars raised almost $75,000 through sales and advertisements while Kerry’s Catch for KidSport™ raised more than $30,000. In total, these two programs raised $105,745 to help Saskatchewan kids play sport.

“On behalf of KidSport™ kids in Saskatchewan, I thank all of our sponsors, advertisers, retailers and, of course, the people of Saskatchewan who supported these projects,” says Don McDougall, chair of KidSport™ Saskatchewan. “With your help, KidSport™ is one step closer towards reaching its goal of ensuring that all kids can play.”

“I want to thank our many partners and employee volunteers who, through their hard work on this Rider Calendar promotion, recognized the importance of helping families overcome financial barriers that too often prevent young people from participating in sports,” said Dean Reeve, Executive Vice President, SaskEnergy. “While ‘Rider fans have a new piece of memorabilia to collect each year, this project has now established a unique fundraising tool that will help kids in Saskatchewan participate in sports when they may not have otherwise had the chance to do so.”

“The support this initiative received was truly overwhelming and the Saskatchewan Roughriders would like to thank everyone for supporting such a worthwhile endeavour,” stated Roughrider President/CEO Jim Hopson. “We look forward to continuing our valuable partnership with KidSport, Football Saskatchewan and SaskEnergy so that together we can ensure all kids have the opportunity to learn the valuable life lessons taught through sport.”

KidSport™, through its 43 local committees provides financial assistance to children from families facing financial difficulties so they can participate in community sport programs. Through sport children learn skills such as responsibility, teamwork, goal setting and self-confidence; skills that will help them to succeed in every facet of their lives.

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