KidSport Okotoks is on the verge of cutting off assistance to new families after using up most of its funds due to rising demand this year.
By the end of September, the organization spent as much as it did in all of 2016 to help subsidize the cost of children’s sports.
Shari Gustafson, KidSport Okotoks chairperson, said demand is outstripping their ability to support families.
“At this time we’re going to have to figure out whether we’re going to be forwarding applications to a different KidSport chapter or if we’re going to have to put them on hold and wait until we have the funds to support them,” she said.
In 2016, KidSport Okotoks provided $85,316 in grants to 228 youths. By the end of September, the organization had provided $83,719 in grants for 241 youths.
Gustafson said the situation has put KidSport at the point of having to close the door to new applications.
“We are at the point where we can probably fund 10 more kids and then we’re out of money,” she said.
Families are eligible to receive up to $600 per year, per child. Gustafson said the funds only go towards registration fees. They help youths participate in a wide range of different sports. The top 10 sports include dance, hockey, soccer, gymnastics and swimming, while others include rugby, water polo and diving.
Gustafson said the organizations that have provided funding to KidSport in the past still do, but a larger demand from a growing number of other groups means they aren’t receiving as much as they had in the past. In one case, Gustafson said an organization that had previously given KidSport as much as $10,000 a year now provides $2,000.
Gustafson said they will have to look for more ways to bring in additional donations. She said the group is holding on to enough money to host an upcoming event to be able to bring in more donations and funding to start accepting more applications.
KidSport is holding a fundraiser dinner on Nov. 3 at the Crescent Point Field House from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets are $100 each and can be purchased at the field house or at Natural High Fitness. The event will include a Texas-style BBQ dinner, live music and a fun money casino.
To donate to KidSport, visit www.kidsportcanada/alberta/okotoks/donation. A Go Fund Me page has been sent up at www.gofundme.com/kidsportokotoks
