“ Thank you so much. You have no idea, how much this has helped my daughter and the self-esteem gymnastics has built up

1. Katarina has told me that Griffins is her safe place, a place where she can go and just be herself with no drama involved. As a parent that is a great thing to hear from your child. So thank you Griffins and thank you A4K for making it possible for her to continue to go there.

2. “Living in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside offers few avenues for children to just play. Organized basketball has given Jedidiah an outlet for activity and opportunities to play with some great kids.” –parent, Jonathan E.

3. “Being in sports has played a major part of who I am today. They have taught me how to be a team player, how to succeed, and gave me tons of self- confidence. Sports have kept me very fit and healthy over the years, and have also kept me out of trouble. I am so thankful that Athletics for Kids has made it possible for me to continue playing 3 sports for many years now. Without sports I wouldn’t know what to do with my life.” • -Youth Athlete, Cory M.

4. “Bryan was diagnosed with complex neuro developmental disorder which he has expressive language delay and physical motor skills delay.  Having these conditions, it is very difficult for him to involve with a team sport.  Even at the school playground, he hasn't been able to join his peers to play.  I wanted him to gain his self- esteem.  For him involving with individual sports has given him this opportunity as well as strengthen his muscles which he has been needed.” • –parent, Toki

5. “My name is Min and I have two young children who have benefited tremendously by the generous financial assistance provided to me by Athletics for Kids. Both children started going to public swim sessions early last year but my son was only able to play in the shallow end of the pool as he was unable to swim at that time. While my son enjoyed the water I could tell he was apprehensive about being in the water. After taking many swimming lessons in 2013, my son has learned to swim with confidence. • Not only has my son learned an important skill, knowing how to swim is a potentially life-saving ability that all children should learn.”

6. Dear Athletics for Kids,I wanted to thank you for the grant for my son to continue in ice hockey with Vancouver Minor Hockey. He is progressing so much, that he is probably going to apply for the Hockey Academy program in Vancouver for High School.  Of course, your support has helped make this possible. Hopefully we will be in a position to pay forward some day.Thank you again for all of your support. • -Parent

7. “On behalf of our family, thank you for your support to send Lovella to Flicka Gymnastics in North Van.  Lovella is enjoying the program and looks forward to attending.”  • – Parent

8. “Thank you so much. You have no idea, how much this has helped my daughter and the self-esteem gymnastics has built up for here is amazing.” • -Parent

9. Thank you so very much to the Athletics for Kids organization for supporting my daughter's gymnastics pursuit. I really appreciate the grant as it will help our family, and Zoe, a lot. With many thanks, • M.

10. On behalf of this family....Thank you. You are making a difference in the lives of children in BC.  The two eldest from this family (family of 6 boys and 1 girl) you supported years ago are in University. • –Lyne B., Social Worker

11. Thank you ever so much.  That is fantastic news and will be such a big help to me! • Kind regards, • Rachel

12. “Thank you so much! You have no idea how grateful I am for the support of A4K. It would have been very challenging for my daughter to attend gymnastics without this financial support!” -Parent

13. “We as our family would like to thank you very much for your funding. Since we have the two boys playing hockey and my daughter doing figure skating, it's not very easy for us to finance them all so that they could join the clubs. But with your support, we are very happy that it made it possible for them. All three of them are now playing the sports with a smile on their face and are having a lot of fun!”  • –Parent

14. I just wanted to say thank you for your support for my son’s hockey registration.  I wish I had discovered your program a long time ago.  I have given your information to our local community center as It is so helpful for many families!! • Thanks again, • Alison

15. Thank you very much for your help in this application process. Alex attended his first soccer practice today and told me he really enjoys it and seemed to fit right in. Thank you and your organization for giving him the opportunity to join a soccer club. • – Parent, C.

16. Thank you and much appreciation to the A4K organization for funding towards my daughter's swim team participation. She is enjoying it immensely and learning a lot! I will send in a note of appreciation soon :) • Best Regards, • Katherine

17. “Thank you so much! Jewel loves the game..She loves the team spirit and is very happy! Thank you so much once again! I appreciate this very much and has helped us tremendously!” • -Parent

18. Thank you so much for your email and for approving Mohammad's application. I am so pleased and greatly appreciate your help. I cannot find words enough to thank you. • May God bless you! • Thanks kindly.

19. Frank is certainly one very worthy applicant.  I’ve seen some families apply where I’m sure they didn’t need it as much as this young man. • When he joined two years ago he used to take the bus the 10 miles etc. with his hockey bag to get to his ice times. He didn’t play last year and I think it was mostly due to financial reasons. I’m so happy he has come back to play.  I’m trying to round up enough equipment to get him going again. • Thanks, • Tina, Sports Registrar

20. “Thank you very much for the funding.  A weight off my shoulders.  I can exhale.  We look forward to this 13-14 hockey season.” • -Parent, Sheri

21. Thank you for approving the hockey funding for Zhen. Your support will definitely relief my burden for my son's sports expenses. Thanks again for A4K's generosity. • Sincerely, • Irene

22. Thank you so much for funding D. this year to participate in Victoria Minor Hockey Association - Bantam. D. loves hockey and playing wouldn’t be possible without your help. This year he has outgrown most of his hockey equipment therefore more expenses this year - so your contribution to help pay most of his hockey registration has been a fantastic help.  • Thank you again. • -Parent, S.