Due to an ’11th hour’ change in date due to a severe thunderstorm warning, Mowbray’s Canadian Tire’s Jump Start for Kids in Port Elgin still did what it wanted to … it raised funds for local kids to be able to take part in sports and extra-curricula activities that they might not have been able to due to financial difficulties.
The parking lot the next day (Sunday) was filled with activities for the whole family, including a BBQ, face painting, the local Police bicycle rodeo, race cars and the mammoth ‘Train Wreck’ truck.
“It was such a last minute change,” said Eleanor Mowbray, who heads up the local Jump Start for Kids, “but amazingly everyone we contacted at the last minute said … ‘sure, no problem’. The event was scheduled for Saturday, May 25th but Mother Nature decided otherwise and, with last minute weather warnings, we had to change it to Sunday, May 26th.”
Despite the sudden change, Mowbray said she was still thrilled with the outcome. “We are just slightly down from last year due to the last minute change, but have still exceeded 2017. We raised approximately $9,000 with Canadian Tire’s matching dollars and it will all stay local to help support our kids in this community.”
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Eleanor Mowbray says a family simply has to call the store in Port Elgin (519-832-6995), or drop in and talk directly to herself and Mike. “This is entirely anonymous,” she adds. “In many instances, we don’t even meet the family. Also, the funds are available for each child not just a sum for the family. We believe that giving youth the chance to participate in extra-curricula activities promotes quality of life for everyone.i”
