Pictured above: The Gosnell family takes part in Jumpstart Day at the Essex Recreation Complex on Sunday.
by Adam Gault
The Town of Essex hosted Jumpstart Day celebrations at the Essex Recreation Complex this past Sunday, to kick off June’s Canadian Tire Jumpstart month.
Inclement weather, unfortunately, brought some of the planned activities inside, which included a bouncy castle and inflatable obstacle course, and a free afternoon recreational swim that the Healthy Kids Community Challenge sponsored.
Families attending the free event had the opportunity to enjoy a BBQ lunch and bake sale, with all proceeds from the goods sold going to support local Jumpstart programs and initiatives in the greater Essex area.
“Since June is Jumpstart month, we decided to partner to do this Jumpstart Day to help raise money for the Essex [Jumpstart’ Chapter,” Essex’s Assistant Manager of Programs, Jason Jolicoeur, said. “And it’s nice, because any money we raise stays local. So, it’s a nice donation.”
Since the program’s implementation in 2005, more than 700 kids from low income and underprivileged homes in the Essex area have been given the chance to take part in sports and camp programs through the generosity of donors and supporters of the Canadian Tire Jumpstart program.
Jumpstart has had incredible success in making sports and recreation accessible to all,” Jolicouer said. “This event will celebrate the impact the charity has had, both in our community and across the country.
“I think we have a very active community, especially in hockey, soccer, and sports like that,” Jolicouer said. “But, some of these sports are very expensive. Jumpstart’s just a great program that allows our programs to be accessible for everybody, regardless of their income. That’s what this is all about.”
For more information on Jumpstart funding, visit essex.ca