Rick and Sharon Haviland spent many summer evenings at the ballpark in Simcoe watching their son, Brody, take the field, with Rick coaching and Sharon cheering from the bleachers.
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When Brody died suddenly of heart failure seven years ago at age 38, the couple looked for a way to honor their sports-loving son’s memory.
They found KidSport Norfolk County, a local non-profit that provides annual grants of up to $250 to help families in need cover the cost of registering their children for sports or paying for equipment.
“It sounded like something our son would really like. We’re certainly all for helping kids that can’t afford to play,” Rick Haviland said.
“Every kid should play a sport that wants to,” Sharon Haviland added. “Sports teaches you a lot of life lessons.”
Fast forward to this year, when Mike McCarthy, a friend of Brody’s and co-owner of Simcoe’s Boston Pizza franchise, asked the Havilands if the restaurant could host a fundraiser for KidSport in Brody’s memory.
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Brody’s Bash for KidSport saw 110 people — including Brody’s family, friends and former baseball teammates — buy tickets for the May 8 event, which raised $4,100 for the charity.
That is the largest single-event donation in KidSport Norfolk County’s 15-year history and represents about half the total grants the group gives out in a typical year, KidSport board member Brent McKay told The Spectator
“It’s very significant for us,” McKay said.
Co-owner Michael Sidenberg said Boston Pizza is always looking for ways to support the community through its Dine for a Cause program, noting Brody’s Bash for KidSport was the restaurant’s most successful fundraiser to date.
The cost of most youth sports and activities has risen in recent years “and a lot of families can’t afford it,” creating a “huge need” for KidSport grants to fill the gap, director Jean Montgomery said.
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Over its 15 years in operation, KidSport has helped hundreds of Norfolk kids under 18 who otherwise would not have been able to play.
Families can apply directly or be referred by coaches, teachers or Norfolk County’s recreation department.
All financial support is provided confidentially, so none of the child’s teammates or their families ever learn of KidSport’s involvement.
“People don’t need to be concerned about asking for help. We’re very discreet about it,” McKay said.
Along with allowing kids to sign up for team sports like hockey, basketball and baseball, KidSport also provides funding for youth interested in individual sports like martial arts, and activities like dance and drama.
“We think outside the box,” Montgomery told The Spectator. “Whatever kids are interested in, we want to accommodate them.”
Anyone interested in donating to KidSport Norfolk County or applying for funding can learn more at kidsportcanada.ca/ontario/norfolk-county.
The Havilands hope their donation will help many local kids experience the personal growth and camaraderie that sports can foster.
“That’s the best part of the whole thing — friendships that can last forever,” Rick Haviland said.
JP Antonacci is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter based at the Hamilton Spectator. The initiative is funded by the Government of Canada.
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