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Battalion 50/50 winnings hit half a million for KidSport

“As long as there is a coaching element to what the child wants to do, we’ve been able to fund it.”   
kidsporttroops
KidSport volunteers working at a Battalion game. File photo.

KidSport North Bay has announced that the organization which helps fund children to compete in sports their families couldn’t afford to put them in, has eclipsed the $500,000 mark in 50/50 proceeds which have been collected in the past four seasons at North Bay Battalion home games.  

Dave Mendicino, Chair North Bay KidSport, told BayToday.ca about the good news today.   

“When we tallied up the numbers we knew it was going to be up there but certainly I was pleasantly surprised when after year four we’ve actually hit $503,000 that KidSport has been able to bring in and re-direct directly into our program,” said Mendicino. 

Mendicino says KidSport is very luck to have partnered with the Battalion as the increase in funding has allowed the program to expand.  

“We cover 18 activities now, so it’s not just hockey, baseball, soccer, it’s also horseback riding lessons, it’s dance, and gymnastics,” said Mendicino.  

“As long as there is a coaching element to what the child wants to do, we’ve been able to fund it.”   

That money has also helped 400 kids play sports (in 2016) they wouldn’t have been able to do without the funding.  

“Before the Battalion came along that number was under 200,” admitted Mendicino.  

“The number of kids that we’ve been able to assist has greatly increased.”  

While $500,000 has went towards a very good cause, Mendicino notes that the other $500,000 from the KidSport 50/50 winnings has been going into the pockets of very happy Battalion fans. 

“Also over the four years there are winners who have left the arena with a total of $503,000 and numerous times I’ve been stopped by winners who have won a jackpot telling me they can finish renovations in their house now or they can now buy a new television,” he said. 

Mendicino also credits the Battalion and volunteers for making the successful program happen.  

“We are very appreciative of the partnership we have with the Battalion, I mean they do so much good in the city and one of the good things they’ve done is they’ve allowed us to expand our program and therefore doubling the amount of kids that we’ve been able to assist. We coud not be doing this without the help of our many volunteers that help us sell tickets as well."  


Chris Dawson

About the Author: Chris Dawson

Chris Dawson has been with BayToday.ca since 2004. He has provided up-to-the-minute sports coverage and has become a key member of the BayToday news team.
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