For Glen Gorrie, a long-time Okotoks resident, volunteering with KidSport Okotoks is an easy fit. He is currently vice-president and has been volunteering with the organization for about six years.
As a charitable organization, KidSport Okotoks administers grants for kids 18 and under to have the opportunity to play a season of organized sports. The Okotoks chapter of KidSport awards grants of up to $400 per child, per year.
A sports enthusiast himself, Gorrie said it’s important all local kids have an equal opportunity to be involved in organized sports.
He said KidSport Okotoks seemed like a natural fit when he was looking for a cause to support.
“I'd see all these young kids going in playing hockey and different sports and thought, man, there's got to be a good contingent of kids that they can't partake in this just due to the equipment and costs,” he said.
He knew the then-president, and after talking with her, he signed up.
It is a small, grass-roots organization, with six to eight board members, which helps keep money in the community and allows them to help those families that are that are truly in need, he added.
“I'm proud to say that we're all 100 per cent volunteers, so 99 per cent of the monies donated to KidSport goes back to the kids,” he said.
Coming up on thirty years living in Okotoks, he said he looks for ways to combine his interests with ways to help in the community.
“I used to do some team sports, and curling and fitness, and (was a) member of the Big Rock Runners and did some ultra distance cycling,” he said.
After retiring from professional life about six years ago, Gorrie said he has a few part-time things keeping him busy for fun, and that KidSport is one of his favourites.
“I just don't want to see any kids here in our hometown that would say, ‘Boy, mom or dad, I'd love to do hockey or dance, but we can't afford it,’” he said.
KidSport is a well-known organization in town, and Gorrie credits current-and-past volunteers, and the Canada and Alberta chapters of KidSport, for that recognition.
“It's a combination of people knowing people that have helped, and I think KidSport Canada and KidSport Alberta have done a good job of keeping us in the limelight,” he said.
He said when they put on their yellow shirts with the KidSport logo and go out into the community, people already know what the organization does, and he often hears a story about how the group helped somebody get into sports.
He said the organization helps about 100 families, on average, get into sports every year, and in a usual year not affect by COVID-19, the organization might expend $40,000 to $60,000 for youth to play sports.
“It’s quite gratifying to see everybody's kids earning the right to play,” he said.
KidSport Okotoks is primarily funded by donations. Although they receive some money from KidSport Canada and KidSport Alberta, the organization relies on community and business support and are very appreciative of the great reception and support they get from the community.
One of the best things, said Gorrie, is seeing families who have been helped by KidSport coming back to support the organization later on.
According to the KidSport Canada website, one-third of kids cannot play organized sports due to the cost.
For more information visit kidsportcanada.ca/alberta/okotoks
