Donations to a local Winnipeg organization has a connection to Woody Harrelson
A local organization supporting immigrant families in Winnipeg is getting a helping hand, and it involves a connection to a Hollywood star.
The Winnipeg Newcomer Sport Academy is a not-for-profit program that provides refugee newcomer youth with the opportunity to participate in multi-sport programming.
Although it receives grants from several organizations, it relies on donations to provide additional services, including nutritious snacks for the kids involved.
The program just received a $400 donation that will benefit the children who attend, and the money has a connection to actor Woody Harrelson, who is filming a movie called ‘Champions’ in Winnipeg.
The donation was facilitated through Volleyball Manitoba after it was contacted by the props department for ‘Champions,’ asking if they could borrow some sports equipment and insisting on paying for it.
John Blacher, executive director of Volleyball Manitoba, said they decided to donate the proceeds.
“We were considering local organizations, sport-related, youth-related programs that we could support with that contribution, and we just selected the Winnipeg Newcomer Sport Academy,” Blacher said.
The Winnipeg Newcomer Sport Academy said the $400 donation is enough to buy eight weeks’ worth of snacks for kids in the program.
Richard Sylvester, field of play director for the academy, said getting involved in sport is easier when you’ve had something to eat.
“We just see (snacks) as a basic need that should be met, and it solves a lot of problems,” he said.
Sylvester said he’s grateful for the donation, and so are the kids who can participate on a full stomach.
“It really helps, we want to make (nutritious snacks) a part of our program each time they come in,” he said.
In ‘Champions,’ Harrelson plays the coach of a basketball team training for the Special Olympics.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING King Charles' cancer treatment progressing well, says Buckingham Palace
King Charles III’s doctors are 'sufficiently pleased' with his cancer treatment and he is expected to return to public-facing duties, Buckingham Palace announced on Friday.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
'Unacceptable': Trudeau reacts after AFN chief says headdress taken from plane cabin
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief said her headdress was taken from an airplane cabin this week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called the incident 'unacceptable' and a 'mistake' on the part of Air Canada.
Regina police officer injured after being accidentally shot by fellow officer's gun
An investigation is underway after a Regina police officer was accidentally shot by a fellow officer’s gun during the search of a house early Friday morning.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
From faulty kids' cribs to flammable kids' bathrobes, here are the recalls of the week
Health Canada issued recalls for various items this week, including kids’ bathrobes, cribs and henna cones.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.