“We are one lucky family to have been granted free equipment from your organization to enjoy any sports that benefit good health. My son is so excited to play and learn how to skate. We’re very thankful to you and your sponsors for helping all low income families that can’t afford to buy expensive equipment to enjoy sport. Because you guys are there to help the community, now we can play and enjoy sports. Thank you very much for all the help you guys are giving to all low income families no matter what there origin. ”
The Calgary Flames Sports Bank (formerly Comrie’s Sports Bank) exists because of testimonials like this. Our organization believes in providing all kids with the opportunity to experience the positive benefits that sport can provide. Equipment costs can be a huge barrier for vulnerable families in our community. We gather, recycle and redistribute used sports equipment at no cost to those kids would otherwise be denied the opportunity to participate in sport.
In 2019, we amalgamated our operations with KidSport Calgary to provide qualified families access to both sport registration fee assistance and no cost equipment in one place! This increases the impact on the community and ultimately, ensures more kids have the opportunity to swing a bat, shoot a puck or toss a ball to encourage them to lead happier, healthier lives.
The Calgary Flames Sports Bank has been operating for 6+ years now and has been generating a significant impact within our community.
2022 Impact:
Since opening in August 2014 we have distributed 61,186 pieces of equipment and assisted 16,097 kids with no cost equipment!
Equipment Support: We provide no cost equipment through our program to qualified kids. Outside of this we look to find ways to connect with the community in getting kids active and ensuring the low-income demographic is nurtured and supported when finding new opportunities to experience sport. Our core program is an application-based program. Families applying to us fill out their portion and then submit the application with the necessary income verification documents. Once the application is filled out, families email us the application and book an outfitting appointment with us. If families are unable to make it into our location, they can fill out our remote outfitting form to submit with their application and we can then ship them the equipment they need!
Registration Fee Support: In 2019, we merged with KidSport Calgary & Area. KidSport is aligned directly with us in helping get more kids involved in sport that may currently face financial barriers that are keeping them from this valuable opportunity. Together, we are breaking down the two main barriers facing families when it comes to sport participation – cost of sport registration and cost of equipment. As soon as a kid is approved for his or her sport registration fee assistance with KidSport, they are also pre-approved for the Calgary Flames Sports Bank, if equipment is needed. For more details about KidSport Calgary & Area and their sport registration fee assistance program visit their website here.
Our no cost sport equipment program is not possible without financial support from the community. We rely 100% on community raised dollars through individual donors, corporate donors, grants, foundations, Flames Sports Bank fundraisers/campaigns and third party events.
Our greatest need is to continue to grow our donor pool and seek out new fundraising dollars as well as equipment donations so that we can continue to meet the demand we have here in Southern Alberta. Become part of our great network of donors and partners and help us give some deserving young children in our community a chance to participate in organized sport.
Ways to get involved:
Head to our website, www.flamessportsbank.ca and check out some other ways of giving, or email [email protected] for more information!
Join us in investing in the lives of local kids who need us most, investing in our future and investing in our community on child at a time.