For Rob Colombo, the semi-annual sale of used sporting equipment to benefit KidSport Tri-Cities is truly a family affair.
His brood has been a benefactor and beneficiary of the event. They all volunteer on sale day. And, as the athletic director at Riverside secondary school in Port Coquitlam, Colombo has directly seen how proceeds from the sale have helped five to eight kids at his school every year seize sporting opportunities they might otherwise miss because pursuing those passions was too expensive for their families.
Colombo didn’t need much convincing to help out when Chris Wilson, the executive director of KidSport Tri-Cities, started organizing the first equipment sale in 2007 as a way to raise funds that could then be distributed to help families in the community to help cover the cost of registration fees and equipment for their kids’ sporting activities.
With two active, growing kids of his own, Colombo knew the expense of new hockey skates almost every year for his son, Eric, and new dance shoes for daughter, Olivia. And with two cars to squeeze into the garage of their Port Coquitlam townhome, he didn’t have the space to store equipment they'd outgrown.
Colombo’s wife, Rosalynn, said there was never any question the whole family would get involved in the sale.
“It’s a really good family event,” she said. “It’s nice to give kids the opportunity to be involved.”
For Eric, who’s 13, that involvement has progressed from compiling his annual shopping list of equipment needs and desires, then loading his old gear into a wagon for transport to the sale, to now working the floor on sale day, asking people if they need help, helping them find items or lugging gear to their vehicles.
“it’s like Christmas day,” he said, adding helping out is a small way to repay the great deals his family has found over the years on his hockey skates and pads, lacrosse equipment and even a bike.
Olivia, 15, works sale day as a greeter. With a little clicker in the palm of her hand, she also keeps track of the people entering the event.
“It’s really amazing to see all the donations being dropped off,” she said. “It makes me feel good to see all the items being given a second chance.”
Rosalynn Colombo said getting her kids involved has given them a greater appreciation for the hard work and expense it takes to allow them to pursue their sporting interests.
Rob Colombo said the lessons learned from his kids’ involvement in the sale will stick with them into their adult lives.
“We’re big proponents of giving back into the community."
• The fall KidSport Tri-Cities used sports equipment sale is being held Saturday, Sept. 7 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Poirier Forum in Coquitlam (618 Poirier St.). Donations can be dropped off at the Port Moody rec centre and the Poirier Sport and Leisure Complex until the eve of the sale, Sept. 6. For more information, go to kidsportcanada.ca.
