Local business renews sponsorship for kids’ programs in 2018
Helping kids in youth programs get to and from events is a big part of Selkirk Transit Authority’s (STA) community engagement mandate. Realizing that goal has been made a whole lot easier thanks to the generous actions of a local business.
Early in 2017, Frank’s Pizza hopped on board to sponsor youth bus passes, in addition to throwing in an extra $1,000 to help pay for charters for youth programs. This past week, restaurant owner Jason Boyd, confirmed he has signed on again to back the programs throughout 2018. Mr. Boyd has established a fund to offset transportation costs for youth throughout the city so they can continue to get out and enjoy experiences in and around the community in the year ahead.
“The additional funding allows us to take all the different groups to events around the community, and that’s fantastic. It allows our youngest citizens to experience things that help them learn and grow. We’re very appreciative of that generosity and community commitment.” STA manager Charlene Dunning said. “By sponsoring the youth passes, Frank’s Pizza reduced the cost from $45 a month to $20, which is a great benefit to young people with limited finances,”
The 2017 donation helped youth at Selkirk Day Care, the Selkirk Children’s Festival, City of Selkirk Spring Camp, Camp Awesome, Growing Years Family Resource Centre and the Clandeboye Summer Day Camp, to name a few, travel to interesting and fun activities.
Happy to Help
Mr. Boyd said he was happy to help with what he sees as a tremendous opportunity for not just the young kids, but others in the community, like senior citizens. Boyd said it was his experiences seeing his grandparents in a nursing home when groups of kids would visit that drove his desire to help.
“The kids would show up at different times of the year, Easter, Christmas, and the smiles on these senior citizens’ faces was just something, it was incredible,” he said. “Sometimes it’s a tough place for seniors to be, and they see these kids with all this energy and the enthusiasm roll through the door and I think they gain years. The kids sing to them and it’s great.”
As Frank’s was sponsoring youth passes already, Mr. Boyd asked Dunning if there was anything else he could do. After some brainstorming, it was decided he’d provide funding to offset costs for youth program charters. Sometimes they go to nursing homes, but they also go to other events. In late October, the final ride sponsored by Frank’s Pizza took Selkirk Day Care’s children to Boonstra Farms by Stonewall for a little Halloween fun.
Supporting A Community
“It gives the kids an opportunity to get out. It gives the kids an opportunity to see the seniors, the seniors get to see the kids and you know it’s supporting a community that’s done a good job of supporting us,” he said. “I just wanted to try to give back.”
And, on a beautiful fall day as the kids were excitedly awaiting some spooky fun at Boonstra Farms, Boyd was happy to be a part of it.
“Whether it’s visiting seniors or having some fun here, it’s awesome,” he said.
Sarah McLaren, Director at Selkirk Day Care, said Frank’s Pizza funding helped the kids go to Boonstra Farms, Lower Fort Garry and Oak Hammock Marsh this year. As a non-profit with limited dollars, she said STA and Frank’s Pizza provided plenty of positive experiences for the children.
“It helps us,” she said. “We don’t have a lot in our budget. So it was great, we got to go to extra places this year.”
