Whether it be a budding amateur sports star or just a local child that needs a helping hand up to enjoy their preferred activity, the Picton Firefighters Association is giving them a ‘Jumpstart’ through the Canadian Tire junior athlete assistance program.

Local Firefighters from Stations One and Ten were on hand at the Canadian Tire in Picton Monday night to present store owner Jason Quesnelle a cheque for $1,000 to be put towards the Canadian Tire Jumpstart Program.

The national initiative designed to eliminate barriers and foster equal access for children wishing to participate in sport and physical activity has a local arm in which the local store collects funds.

That funding in turn is administered by the Recreation Outreach Centre who process applications and disperses costs for registration, equipment, etc.

Monday night’s contribution was just one of several community-minded efforts that are made annually  by the PFA who fundraise throughout the year hosting barbecues, selling Christmas trees and taking on other fundraising initiatives. 

“The PFA works incredibly hard throughout the year on their own time to make sure they can support the community in a number of ways,” Local Firefighter Tim Kraemer said. 

More recently the PFA made a contribution to the restoration efforts at Glenwood Cemetery and, among other causes, fundraise to send a child every year to Camp Bucko, a special residential summer camp in central Ontario for children that have suffered accidental burns.

The local chapter of the Alzheimer Society, Hospice Prince Edward, the County Clippers and the Dolphins swimming program have all been positively impacted by the PFA.

And now, children that might not otherwise be able to participate in their activity of choice will have an opportunity and Quesnelle was thrilled to accept the donation for the Jumpstart program.

While hockey, basketball and soccer tend to be some of the more popular sports in Prince Edward County, Quesnelle said there are over 60 different physical activities that Jumpstart will support.

“Everything from skipping to ballet, anything that’s a physical activity, Jumpstart will help by either covering the cost of registration or through equipment purchasing,” Quesnelle told the Gazette. “It’s fantastic and makes you proud as a Canadian Tire store owner to see the Firefighters get together and support this great cause. It’s a fantastic, caring community here.”

The Jumpstart program accepts donations at the store or through it website and Quesnelle stressed any online donations that “come from this community stay in this community.”

For any parent looking to apply to the program, that can be done either online at https://jumpstart.canadiantire.ca or by visiting the ROC at https://theroc.ca/register-online/  .