Skate To Great is affiliated with some but not all of the charities here. We admire what each of these organizations do and the contribution they make. Skate To Great aims to support organizations like these with the skates, helmets and sticks they require. If you know of an organization that should be listed here, please contact us.Together, it is our goal, that every kid will have the opportunity to skate regardless of their circumstances.

• 

  Sport Central

  The Brick Sport Central ServicesHelps kids where a need exists. Edmonton area is the first priority, but many other communities in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, BC, Quebec, the Territories and even overseas receive help. Distributes all kinds of sport equipment to kids in need, including Hockey, Skates, Bicycles, Soccer, Softball, Rollerblades, Racquettes, Snow Sliders and many other types of gear. Plays a key role in promoting safety in sport. For example, every bike leaves with a helmet fitted for the rider.

  http://www.sportcentral.org

  Reach: National with primary focus in Alberta & British Columbia

• 

  Courage Canada

  Courage Canada Hockey for the Blind is a national registered charity that leads the development of the sport of Blind Hockey and provides children and youth with the opportunity to learn to skate and try Blind Hockey.

  http://www.couragecanada.ca

  Reach: National

• 

  HEROS Hockey

  The Hockey Education Reaching Out Society is a registered Canadian charitable organization committed to empowering children through ice hockey.

  The premise of HEROS is to use the game of hockey as a catalyst to attract youth to a program offering support for education self-esteem building and life skills training.

  The program focuses on boys and girls of diverse ethnicity from economically challenged neighborhoods. The program will be conducted in an environment of fun and safety where each child is considered to be a HERO.

  http://www.heroshockey.com/index.php

  Reach: Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal

• 

  KidSport

  KidSport Canada is a national not-for-profit organization that provides financial assistance for registration fees and equipment to kids aged 18 and under. Through a confidential application process we provide grants so they can play a season of sport.

  http://www.kidsportcanada.ca/index.php?page=find_a_chapter

  Reach: Canada (National)

• 

  P.R.O. Kids

  P.R.O. Kids is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to helping economically disadvantaged children and youth access community recreation activities. Since it was established in 1998, P.R.O. Kids has made nearly 14,000 placements of children into recreational activities in Thunder Bay. Each experience provides the opportunity for youth to develop into positive, contributing members of our community as they learn new skills, teamwork and cooperation. The sense of pride in their abilities leads to a sense of achievement and self-confidence.

  http://www.prokidssj.ca/main.html http://www.thunderbay.ca/Living/Children_and_Youth/P_R_O__Kids.htm http://www.niagararegion.ca/living/childcare/financial-assistance/recreation-culture-programs.aspx http://www.cityofkingston.ca/residents/community-services/pro-kids

  Reach: Saint John, NB, Thunder Bay, ON, Niagara Region, ON, Kingston, ON

• 

  Big Brothers Big Sisters

  For one hundred years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has been making a positive difference in the lives of our nation’s youth by developing and implementing a wide range of mentoring programs. One-to-one and group programs, for both in school and outside of school.

  Serving as role models, Big Brothers Big Sisters mentors teach by example the importance of giving and giving back, of staying in school, and of having respect for family, peers and community. Each time we pair a child with a mentor or introduce a group of students to an in-school program, we start something incredible – a life-changing relationship built on friendship, trust and empowerment.

  http://www.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/en/home/default.aspx

  Reach: Canada (National)

• 

  Classroom Champions

  Targeting grades Kindergarten through 8, Classroom Champions brings Olympians, Paralympians and Olympic/Paralympic games hopefuls (Athlete Mentors) into the classroom using videos and live chats.

  A kind of 21st century pen-pal, each athlete mentor adopts 1-4 classrooms per year. Focusing on their own personal journey, athletes teach about the hard work of training, goal setting, competition and perseverance. Using video lessons and live video chats, students are engaged with their athlete mentor several times per month.

  http://www.classroomchampions.org

  Reach: North America

• 

  Hockey Is For Everyone

  Hockey is for Everyone (HIFE) is the National Hockey League's official youth development program. HIFE provides support and unique programing to non-profit youth hockey organizations across North America that are committed to offering children of all backgrounds opportunities to play hockey.

  http://www.nhl.com/ice/page.htm?id=48311

  Reach: North America

• 

  Right To Play - PLAY Program

  Right To Play's mission is to use sport and play to educate and empower children and youth to overcome the effects of poverty, conflict, and disease in disadvantaged communities.

  The PLAY Program is being implemented in partnership with First Nations communities, Tribal Councils and a variety of Aboriginal organizations across Ontario.

  http://www.righttoplay.com/canada/our-impact/Pages/PLAYProgram.aspx

  Reach:The PLAY Program is within select Aboriginal Communities within Canada.

• 

  Kingston Ontario's Great Skate Exchange

  Kingston’s Great Skate Exchange, a program of the City of Kingston’s P.R.O. Kids charity, which helps all of Kingston’s youth get access to recreational activities, has announced that it has begun accepting donations of gently-used skates.

  Anyone needing a new pair of skates can call 613-542-3817 to set up an appointment to be held at the Wally Elmer Neighbourhood Centre at 50 MacCauley St. These skates can then be taken home and used anywhere in the City.

  Owners of gently-used skates willing to donate, can drop them off at Artillery Park Aquatic and Fitness Centre, Wally Elmer Neighbourhood Centre, Cataraqui Arena, Centre 70 Arena, Invista Centre, or the Memorial Centre.

  Reach: Local (Kingston, Ontario, Canada)

• 

  Skate Canada - Learn To Skate CanSkate

  CanSkate is Skate Canada's flagship learn-to-skate program, designed for beginners of all ages. When you sign up for CanSkate you will be in a program that focuses on fun, participation and basic skill development. You will earn badges and other incentives as you learn fundamental skating skills. Lessons are given in a group format and led by an NCCP certified professional coach. Professional coaches are assisted by trained Program Assistants. The coach to student ratio is a maximum of 1:10. Skaters progress at their own rate and coaches make sessions active using teaching aids, music and a wide variety of activities that create a fun environment and promote learning. CanSkate is the feeder program to all other Skate Canada Skating Programs.

  http://www.skatecanada.ca/en-us/programs/canskate.aspx

  Reach: Canada (National)

• 

  Jumpstart

  Jumpstart is dedicated to removing barriers, so children can participate in organized sport and recreation.

  Jumpstart is a national charitable program that helps financially disadvantaged kids participate in organized sport and recreation by helping to cover registration, equipment and/or transportation costs.

  http://jumpstart.canadiantire.ca/en/what-we-do#hta

  Reach: Canada (National)

• 

  CanFUND

  CAN Fund is a not-for-profit organization devoted solely to raising funds and awareness of our Canadian athletes.

  http://www.canadianathletesnow.ca/home/

  Reach: Canada (National)

• 

  Kids Up Front

  Kids Up Front Foundation is a charitable organization that provides access to arts, culture, sport and recreation for children who otherwise do not have the opportunity.

  Kids Up Front works with a variety of charitable child-serving agencies to distribute tickets fairly and efficiently to thousands of children each year. Our registered agencies formally agree to select suitable ticket recipients from children within their programs, arrange appropriate supervision, coordinate event logistics and strictly adhere to Kids Up Front policies.

  http://www.kidsupfronttoronto.com/donate/donate-tickets/

  Reach: Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver and Toronto

• 

  OneGoal

  OneGoal provides packaged priced kits including helmets and protective equipment. OneGoal-branded kits include everything except skates and a stick. Multiple units need to be purchased to place an order.

  http://www.usahockeyprogramservices.com/page/show/896904-onegoal

  Reach: North America

• 

  The Gretzky Foundation

  Founded in 2002, the Wayne Gretzky Foundation’s mission is to provide less fortunate youth with the opportunity to experience the sport of hockey. This goal will be accomplished through the donation of hockey equipment and ice time, as well as providing the opportunity for young people to attend professional hockey games. The Wayne Gretzky Foundation believes that hockey instills many positive life skills and contributes to the physical, emotional and social growth of young people.

  http://www.gretzky.com/foundation/

  Reach: National

• 

  Safe & Fun Hockey Helmet Program (for 5 Year Olds)

  This program provides helmets to parents of 5 year old children each year. Please visit their website for more information.

  https://www.safeandfunhockey.ca/en/helmet

  Reach: Canada (National)

• 

  Goals & Dreams Fund

  The NHL Players Association Goals & Dreams fund is the largest grassroots hockey assistance program in the world. Founded in 1999, Goals & Dreams has contributed over $21 million to grassroots hockey programs and related causes in 30 countries. Through the donation of equipment grants, the program has given more than 60,000 deserving children the opportunity to play hockey and benefit from the sport’s commitment to teamwork, discipline and physical fitness.

  http://www.nhlpa.com/giving-back/goals-and-dreams

  Reach:North America

• 

  Play Hockey Community Grants

  Play Hockey offers grants to community hockey organizations and sports associations to grow the game and keep hockey vital across Canada. The program is focused on helping get more children out on the ice and providing opportunities for kids to get out and play. Registered charities are eligible for one of 20 grants of $25,000.

  http://www.rbc.com/community-sustainability/community/rbc-play-hockey/index.html

  Reach: North America

• 

  Parachute / ThinkFirst - Helmet Program

  Parachute is a national non-profit organization dedicated to the prevention of brain and spinal cord injuries.

  ThinkFirst created the Give-a-kid-a-helmet program in 2003 to provide children with a helmet so that they can participate safely in the healthy physical activities of childhood - like riding a bike, learning to ice skate, or playing team sports such as hockey and baseball. Through this program and related initiatives, they've given away over $700,000 in helmets, supplying 35,000 kids across Canada with this vital protective gear.

  http://www.parachutecanada.org/thinkfirstcanada

  Reach: National

• 

  Boys And Girls Clubs of Canada

  Boys and Girls Clubs bring out the best potential of every child. Our Clubs offer children, from pre-school to young adulthood, a safe, affordable, enriching and fun place to go after school.

  We provide challenging activities that encourage healthy living, personal growth, learning, and community involvement . We build self-esteem through supportive adult mentors and engaging activities that challenge and enrich the mind, body and spirit of each child.

  http://www.bgccan.com/en/ClubsPrograms/FindAClub/Pages/default.aspx

  Reach: Canada (National)

• 

  Ryerson University's Mattamy Athletic Centre, Community Skate Days (formerly Maple Leaf Gardens)

  Ryerson University's Mattamy Athletic Centre (formerly Maple Leaf Gardens) offers free community skate days throughout the season.

  http://www.mattamyathleticcentre.ca/events/detail/community-skate-1

  Reach: Local (Toronto)

• 

  NHL Alumni - Beyond The Boards

  The Beyond The Boards Program is the NHL Alumni’s grassroots charitable initiative committed to improving the lives of families and children throughout North America. We achieve this by bringing together former NHL players in community activities, with the goal of inspiring today's youth through positive sports images and building a better foundation for our youth.

  http://www.nhlalumni.net/content/beyond-boards

  Reach:North America