Bicycle Helmets for Children in Need

Organization Name: Sport Central Association
Community: Northern Alberta (north of the City of Red Deer)
Funding Request: $10,000
Start Date: 2021-09-01
End Date: 2022-08-31

The Cause

Sport Central is a children's charity that provides free sport equipment to under privileged children from 4 to 17 years old. Providing kids free equipment enables them to participate in sport who could not otherwise do so. Our Bicycle Program gives repaired bikes to 2,000 children annually. Under privileged children are referred to us through various agencies such as KidSport, Catholic Social Services, Edmonton Immigration Services Association, Children Services, and Edmonton Public and Catholic school systems. We take gently used bicycles donated by generous Edmontonians, repair them with volunteer works and give them to pre-qualified children at no cost. For every bike given, a new bike helmet is also given to the child, if they don't already have one, to ensure that they have the safe gear needed. Due to safety standards, we do not give a used helmet to a child. Because of this, we need to purchase bicycle helmets. The cost of bicycle equipment has increased over past year or so due to the pandemic. At approximately $25 a bicycle helmet, your gift of $10,000 will outfit 400 children enabling them to ride to school and enjoy the outdoors with their friends and family.

Who Will it Benefit?

Sport Central helps children and youth between the ages of 4 to 17 from low-income families. The primary demographics we serve are New Canadians and Indigenous People. Children and youth in the greater Edmonton area will benefit from your investment. They will receive a new bicycle helmet along with a custom fitted and repaired bicycle. A helmet from you is the catalyst for enabling a child to experience the freedom of riding a bicycle and exploring the community.