Jumpstart launches calendar pilot project, Organizers hope calendar becomes large-scale fundraiser

Posted Jan 5, 2012 By Steph Willems

EMC News - Iconic Canadian athletes will be featured in a calendar created by Jumpstart Charities.

The 12-month calendar for 2012 will raise funds for the charity's many sport and recreation programs, which, since 2005, have allowed more than 371,000 Canadian children to take part in summer fun and camaraderie.

Featured in the calendar are Canadians Jonathan Toews of the Chicago Blackhawks, figure skater Kurt Browning, gold medalist hockey player Sami Jo Small and track and field champion Nicole Forrester among others.

The athletes will be shown in artistic renderings created by Canadian artists who donated their time and talent for the project.

The 12 athletes were chosen based on their previous support for the Jumpstart program.

Canadian Tire hopes the calendar, which is a pilot project this year, will become an annual part of their fundraising.

"This is our first time, but we're already putting together the 2013 calendar," said Jennifer Hills, spokeswoman for Canadian Tire Corporation.

The hope is to see how the calendars perform in a select group of stores this year before rolling it out on a wider scale.

In addition to the nine Ontario Canadian Tire stores carrying the calendar - including locations in Orleans and Arnprior - five Mark's outlets will also have the calendar in stock.