When trampoline athlete Gavin Dodd heard about the 2019 Canada Winter Games Mitts for Many legacy project, he knew he wanted to do something over and above.
On Sunday, at the Team BC pep rally for week two athletes, Dodd and the group of trampoline athletes and coaches donated over 200 pairs of mitts to add to the estimated over 600 pairs that Team BC will donate to the legacy project.
“I think it is really important that we help everybody because not everyone has everything we have. Not everyone is able to be warm in the cold months so it is really important that we help out where we can,” said Dodd, 15, who is from Kamloops.
The Mitts for Many project encouraged all Canada Games athletes and attendees to donate a new or gently used pair of mittens to those less fortunate in Red Deer.
Assisting the Team BC athletes in their donation was Debbie McBoyle, Gymnastics BC trampoline co-ordinator.
“We got the word out for people to donate to the project through the Kamloops Gymnastics and Trampoline Centre, but then a person from Gymnastics BC decided to knit some herself. It was really cool and nice of her to take the time to knit them herself,” said Dodd.
The mitts will be donated to The Mustard Seed, who will then disperse them to Red Deer’s most vulnerable citizens.
“I think it is fantastic. The outpouring of support from not only the athletes who are here competing but their respective communities was way more than we anticipated,” said Michael Wheele, coach of the trampoline team.
Team BC started the legacy project in 2011, with the focus on social responsibility. Realizing the tremendous contribution that every host community makes to plan and stage the Games, it is a goal of Team BC to give back to the community and leave a valuable and meaningful legacy. This is the first time the host society has brought all the provinces and territories together to make a donation to the same social organization.
“It is one of those things where it forces the kids to really think and look beyond themselves,” said Wheele. “It is aptly named the legacy project and it forces a perspective on it that you don’t normally see in a lot of sport.
Kristi Patton
Mission Staff Commications