The local business community is stepping to the plate to ensure more kids are playing sports in Delta.
Westcoast Instant Lawns and Biomaxx Wastewater Solutions are two of the latest companies to jump on board KidSport Delta - a charitable arm of Sport B.C. that provides grants to financially disadvantaged children to cover the costs of sport registration fees.
The Delta chapter was launched in March. West Coast Instant Lawns became a Platinum partner in April with a $5,000 donation that will put an estimated 25 Delta children into an organized sports program this year.
Daryl Goodwin, president of West Coast Instant Lawns, views youth sports as an important activity that a downturn in the economy has made difficult for some families to afford.
"It's hard times, people don't have the money, families don't have the extra income to spend, so I thought this would contribute and get a few more kids out there on the baseball diamonds, hockey rinks, soccer or all the different sports we have in Delta," Goodwin said.
Delta Kidsport also recently announced a community partnership agreement with Biomaxx Wastewater Solutions.
Organized sports for youth is nothing new to company owner Don Sangster, who has been actively involved in girls softball for many years at the local, provincial and national levels.
"Sport is such an important part of the development of a child and all children should be able to have the opportunity to participate," said Sangster. "I encourage other Delta businesses to step up and participate."
For more information on Delta Kidsport or to apply for a grant visit www.kidsportdelta.ca
