MLA Ravi Kahlon also presented a $400,000 contribution to KidSport from the Province of B.C.
For many families in British Columbia, organized sports is a luxury they can't afford. KidSport BC and Ritchie Bros. are on a mission to change that.
For the past nine years, Ritchie Bros. has teamed up with KidSport to host the Corporate Kids Challenge, a full-day charity event where corporate teams from across the Greater Vancouver area compete in a series of sports-day challenges in the hopes of raising the coveted CKC trophy and a ton of money for kids in need.
"We believe participating in sport fosters many key attributes we seek in the future leaders of our communities, our schools, our government, our businesses and elsewhere," said Darren Watt, senior vice president and general counsel of Ritchie Bros. "We are proud of our connection to KidSport and all we have accomplished together over the past nine years. We would also like to thank the dozens of companies around Greater Vancouver who continue to support the Corporate Kids Challenge each year."
This year's Corporate Kids Challenge, held on Saturday, Sept. 8, raised a staggering $166,000, bringing the nine-year Corporate Kid's Challenge fundraising total to $1.3 million.
"Five hundred kids are going to get to play a season of sport because of this year's event," said Pete Quevillon, director of KidSport B.C. "We are making a huge impact on the lives of so many kids and we are so thankful for everyone who has contributed to making this event a success, especially our good and generous friends at Ritchie Bros."
What really makes the Corporate Kids Challenge different than a lot of charity events, is its focus on fun. The whole event is designed to remind participants how fun and important sport is to our lives. To maximize the competitive spirit of the participants, each corporate team is paired with a special guest teammate, including Canadian Olympians, local athletes and celebrities. This year's event featured Olympic gold medalists Kelsey Serwa and Maelle Ricker, Paralympic silver medalist Josh Dueck, and many more.
Also onsite for this year's event was Ravi Kahlon, MLA (Delta North) and Parliamentary Secretary for Sport and Multiculturalism, to present a $400,000 donation to KidSport from the province of B.C.
"I'm so proud of the KidSport organization. It started in B.C. and is now nationwide," said Mr. Kahlon, at the Corporate Kids Challenge event. "Traveling around the province this past year I have met with many organizations, coaches, parents and kids that have been affected by the money raised by the Corporate Kids Challenge and KidSport. There are so many kids in our communities that are benefiting. So, on behalf of the Province of B.C., thank you so much to KidSport and Ritchie Bros. for stepping it up year after year."
Ritchie Bros. is the host and main sponsor of the Corporate Kids Challenge each September. Other 2018 event sponsors included AdCentives, Bee-Clean Building Maintenance, Burnaby Firefighters Charitable Society, Compass Group, DER Resorts, Dorsey, Ernst & Young, Fortius Sport & Health, GWL Realty Advisors, Heritage Office Furnishings, Hilton Vancouver Metrotown, IT|IQ, Korn Ferry, Marsh, Zurich, Mitchell Press, Mr. Mikes, RBC Capital Markets, Ritchie Bros. Financial Services, Redpath Relocations, Somatic, Telus, Tippet-Richardson, Triple O's, Unity Connected Solutions, Vancouver Whitecaps and Westminster Savings.
To learn more about the Corporate Kids Challenge event and how you can help, visit rbauction.com/kidschallenge.
About KidSport
Established in 1993 by Sport BC, KidSport is a community-based sports funding program that provides grants for financially disadvantaged children ages 18 and under to participate in amateur sport and learn valuable life lessons and skills. The organization operates 178 chapters across Canada, 41 of which are based in British Columbia. For more information about KidSport and how you can help in your community, please visit http://www.kidsportcanada.ca/british-columbia/.
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