For the past 11 years, David Dunseath, the Winkler Canadian Tire dealer, has been hosting special events to celebrate Jump Start Month in June.

Saturday, he and Michael Penner, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters and chapter chair of the Pembina Valley Jump Start committee, helped kick off the month where Canadian Tire focuses on raising money and awareness about under-privileged kids and the benefits of sports.

 Children from poorer households often can't participate in sports thanks to expensive equipment or registration  costs. Jump Start gives money to families who want to enroll their kids in sports, but don't have the means.

 Last year, 380 children from the Pembina Valley were put through sports thanks to the Jump Start charity.

 "It's been very fulfilling," said Dunseath.

 $30,000 was raised last year, and Dunseath is hoping to match that through donations made during June.

 "Every dollar stays in the area; It does not leave," he added.

 The Pembina Valley chapter of Jump Start includes Winkler, Morden, Altona, Morris, Carman and as far west as  Crystal City.

"Sports has a huge impact on kids," said Penner.

"Coaches are, ultimately, mentors to kids. With sports you learn teamwork, how to persevere, endurance, self-control, how to win and lose."

Donations to Jump Start can be made at the Winker Canadian Tire until the end of June.