When Sharon McKay's son was five, she signed him up for minor lacrosse.
Through Rissa Wilson, the vice principal of the Coquitlam Basic Alternate Education school -where she works as a teacher - McKay learned about KidSport, a Tri-City-based, volunteer-driven charity that helps less fortunate kids get active.
The program - of which Wilson's husband, Chris, oversees - raises its cash primarily through bi-annual sales of used sporting equipment that is donated by the community.
Intrigued, McKay decided to check it out and she was glad she did: She walked out with shoulder, kidney, elbow and knee lacrosse pads and a helmet for $45. "I was so happy when I left," McKay recalled, "because it would have set me back more than three times that for new stuff."
For the past three years, McKay has returned for every KidSport Tri-City sale, purchasing more gear (BMX bike helmet for $5, a hockey net, etc.) for her boy, Ian.
This and next year, he's enrolled in PoCo minor baseball, soccer and lacrosse.
And tomorrow (Saturday) McKay will be in line to load up on more recycled products. "You can't go wrong because it's not only in good shape and a good deal but you know that your money will help out kids in need. How can you go wrong?"
Since it started, KidSport Tri-Cities has raised more than $450,000 and supported 2,451 kids as well as funded 43 sports organizations.
Last summer, the KidSport sale generated around $18,000 while its recent spring event took in about $17,000. Organizers hope to collect $25,000 from Saturday's sale at the Poirier Sports and Leisure Complex, which is sponsored in part by The Tri-City News.
Executive director Chris Wilson said donations have been overwhelming. This week, a volunteer spent two hours loading up second-hand sports gear at the Poirier centre. As well, KidSport has many donations left over from its March sale at Riverside secondary - goods that are stored in the basement at Como Lake middle school.
"People are so generous with what they're giving," said Wilson, a former Olympic wrestler.
Still, with so many contributions on hand, it can be a problem. "It's very important that we get people out to buy on Saturday," Wilson said. "Otherwise, it just sits there until the next sale and that doesn't benefit anyone."
Wilson said with the soccer season ramping up next month and hockey underway, now is the time to purchase athletic swag for cheap such as skates, cleats and bikes.
The KidSport Used Equipment Sale runs Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Poirier Sports and Leisure Centre (633 Poirier St., Coquitlam). Admission is by donation or with an item for the food bank.
