For our Oct. 2, 2017 meeting, Jason Thorne (right) introduced Mary Ann Gallagher, presently the Regional Manager for New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island at Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities.
Mary Ann is a graduate of Saint Mary’s University and has previous work experience at Bell Aliant, Irving Oil, and Benjamin’s Books.
Mary Ann delivered a very informative talk about Jumpstart, which is a charity that assists financially disadvantaged kids and helps them to participate in organized sport and recreation. Information is kept confidential, but this charity requests income statements from families to assess needs...
An individual may apply for a $300 Jumpstart grant twice per year. This charity also receives requests from communities who are attempting to run an organized sport, but families are unable to cover the entire cost of the sport.
Since 2005, $127,761,480 has been donated to Jumpstart in Canada. In Sussex last year, $27,995 was given to 142 kids. Presently the overall ratio is 63% boys and 37% girls. The top sports that are supported are hockey, skating, sledge hockey, soccer, and sports camp.
Rotarian Jason thanked Mary Ann for her work and her support.