Committee members were busy preparing Friday for the major fundraiser. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

Community impact

KidSport hosts major fundraiser this weekend in La Ronge

May 3, 2019 | 5:00 PM

Tri-community residents are invited to attend La Ronge KidSport’s 12^th annual Three-On-Three Basketball Tournament starting tonight at Churchill Community High School.

The event begins at 5:30 p.m. with a barbecue at the front steps of the school, followed by two games this evening which start at 7 p.m. The tournament gets going again tomorrow at 9 a.m. and will wrap up with a steak supper fundraiser at the nearby curling rink at 6 p.m. Committee member Kristy McDougall stated the event serves as the group’s major fundraiser of the year and she was expecting it would earn about $15,000 in donations and sales.

“That keeps us going with the different grants we get and what not from different sporting agencies throughout the year,” she said. “All of our proceeds go directly back into the community.”

There are eight teams registered in the tournament this year with the only requirement being one woman has to be playing on each team at all times. McDougall noted the event tends to get quite competitive, but added everyone has fun and enjoys themselves. The public is also invited to watch the games on Friday and Saturday, as well as purchase tickets for tomorrow’s steak night fundraiser. They cost $20 each and can be purchased from any KidSport committee member.

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McDougall believes KidSport has a large impact on the tri-communities as the organization invested $25,000 and assisted 250 local kids in 2018. She mentioned almost every sport in La Ronge is qualified for KidSport funding, noting they’ve also assisted programs on the organizational side.

“In the past week, we have written $20,000 in program grants to go out to different sporting agencies,” McDougall said. “Individual sport applications come through us for people who need financial assistance with registration for their kids to play sports. But, organizations throughout town can apply for up to $5,000 for equipment, officials and different costs they have. When they drive down costs through grants like ours, they can lower the registration fees and help subsidize some of their players.”

There are several reasons residents seek out the support of KidSport. McDougall said sometimes applicants are low-income, while other people face life situations or other circumstances which would qualify them.

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derek.cornet@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @saskjourno