Front l-r Patricia Lunden,  Harwin grade 7 students Tylynn Leeson and Sam Mould.  Back l-r  Nevio Rossi, Selen Alpay, Dave Shuvera

Prince George, B.C. – For 60 students at Harwin Elementary, it is an opportunity many would otherwise not have. Jumpstart, a charity through Canadian Tire, provides the equipment  and the expertise to get disadvantaged youth on the  ice.

In Prince George, Harwin Elementary Principal Nevio Rossi, the program teaches so much more than the game and he is already seeing the positive impact in the school “Absolutely, kids feel more connected to the school they fell they belong, they’re already asking about high school programs. It’s more than the game of hockey, it’s about education , giving kids an opportunity and maybe creating a spark for lifelong learning.” 

He says   youth involved in the program are behaving better, are more focused in class and want more of an opportunity to be part of the school. 

The program started in October and will carry through to the end of March.  This morning at the Kin Centre,   a full complement of students were on the ice, while some of their classmates were in the stands, cheering them on. 

Patricia Lunden from Harwin elementary says the program has generated a positive atmosphere “ It means so much to kids who normally wouldn’t be able to get out on the ice because of the expense of it.”   The mix of students   has more males than females, but Lunden says  grade sevens are very excited with the prospect of starting the program now, and the possibility of being able to carry that through high school.

For Dave   Shuvera, the Manager of the Prince George Canadian Tire,  it is a wonderful feeling to know that through Jumpstart, they have been able to help out “So much of the (fundraising) work that we do, sometimes you wonder just where does it go, but to see it here, in town, is absolutely fantastic.”