How an annual equipment sale supports kids in sports
If you’re looking for sports equipment, you’re in luck this weekend.
KidSport Tri-Cities is hosting its annual used sports goods sale on Saturday, Sept. 7 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Poirier Sports Forum. All proceeds will subsidize registration fees for families in need.
This sale gives families an opportunity to buy sporting goods at a much lower price than they’d find new, as well as supports kids with sport registration fees.
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Chris Wilson, the executive director of KidSport Tri-Cities, says there’s a huge need for this due to the high cost of living in Metro Vancouver.
“It’s a great way for us to raise money, so we can provide more subsidies to more families,” he said.
KidSport collects gently used equipment donations from families “that generally are just collecting dust in the basement, or their garage, or their storage space,” Wilson said.
The first KidSport used goods auction was in 2007. When they first started the Tri-Cities chapter, they were trying to find a way to help families with sports equipment, since KidSport only provides grants for sports registration fees to keep their process simple.
They considered a number of options, from a lending library to opening a used equipment store.
“And we kinda settled in the middle,” Wilson said.
Now, they have a used sports equipment sale twice a year, once in early March and once in early September.
Their goal? To give all kids the opportunity to play a season of sport.
“There’s so many life skills that young people learn by playing sports, or being involved in cultural activities,” Wilson said.
He said when kids get involved in an activity (sports or otherwise) there are some invaluable skills they learn — like dealing with constructive criticism, learning time management, discipline or team work.
Kids can also improve their self-esteem and fitness, as well as make friends.
“And there’s just a lot of families out there that aren’t even considering registering their kids in sports, because they can’t afford it.”
Admission is by a monetary or non-perishable food donation, given to SHARE Food Bank.
