Spirit of the Game Society board member Brock Jackson (left) updated the Rotary Club of Osoyoos on the charity’s success over the last year at their meeting last Wednesday. With Jackson is club president Jeff Duguid. (Vanessa Broadbent photo)

By Vanessa Broadbent

Osoyoos Times

2018 was a busy year for the Spirit of the Game Society, and they’re not expecting anything different this year.

Board member Brock Jackson attended the Rotary Club of Osoyoos’ meeting last Wednesday to update the club on the charity’s happenings.

“The amount of interest in Spirit of the Game and what we’re doing, and the amount of applications we’re getting from the community is really continuing to grow,” he said.

Since its creation in 2013, the charity, which helps local kids obtain the funding needed to get involved in sports, has helped between 125 and 150 families in Osoyoos and Oliver.

Funding goes towards anything from league fees, to equipment or even covering costs for school trips. The society has helped kids enroll in hockey, soccer, baseball and dance.

Many families are “repeat customers” and reapply for funding from the society annually, Jackson said.

“We have had a lot of people in the two communities who have benefited multiple times from Spirit of the Game Society.”

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However, more applications are coming in each year and now the society is looking for ways to keep their funding increasing as well.

In November, a fundraiser at the Sage Pub saw over $10,000 come in for the society, and Jackson said plans are in the works for a second edition of the event this year.

“It was a huge success and it just went to show how much support there is from the community for the organization.”

There’s also talk of hosting a bowling tournament.

“We love golf tournaments, everyone golfs, but there’s a lot of golf tournaments out there,” Jackson said. “No one’s doing bowling tournaments that we’re aware of, so we thought that would be fun to do, and kids love to bowl.”

Along with planning new events, the board is also welcoming new members as well.

Founder and former chair Mike Campol and his wife Becky Campol are transitioning out of the board, and Cam Bissonnette is taking on the chair position. Andrew Stuckey has joined as a new director as well.

There’s also plenty of ways for the public to help the society out as well.

“We’re always looking for more support from the community, whether it’s financial, volunteer or donations for our events,” Jackson said. “We’re just really looking forward to 2019 and helping more kids and families in the community.”