Become a REAL Supporter

The REAL Program is fully dependent upon community support. There are several ways to demonstrate support of this great program.

  1. The business community and individuals can support the REAL Program through financial and in-kind donations. Income tax receipts can be issued upon request for financial donations.
  2. Donation of new or used recreation equipment and/or organization of equipment drives.
  3. You can now donate to the REAL Program by dropping off your recycling with Evergreen Recycling, account # 5768684.

100 per cent of your donation will be spent on program spaces, equipment and/or transportation costs for children and youth. The sooner you support this program, the sooner children and youth can get active.

If you would like to become a partner, please fill out this Partnership Application

 

Notice of Vacancies
REAL Program Fundraising and Promotion Committee

The REAL program is actively seeking members for its Fundraising and Promotions Committee. If you have experience in fundraising, promotion or marketing and would like to volunteer your time and talents, please contact us.

For more information please click here.

 

Give the Gift of Play
 

The REAL Program would like to thank Alex Newhook, his family and supporting businesses for taking time out of their Stanley Cup celebrations to raise over $11,000 which will go directly toward placing children in sport, recreation, art and leadership programs.

Generous donations have been provided by Blue on Water, O’Reilly’s Irish Newfoundland Pub, Rob Roy Pub, Shamrock City Pub and Universal Corporate Wear. Thanks also to Nick Vinicombe and 97.5 K-Rock for organizing the Stanley Cup Photo Contest and to the many individuals who made donations.

Thank you, Alex, for breaking down the financial barriers that keep many children from participating and dreaming big dreams!
 


YMCA- YCAN (Youth Community Action Network) Gear Drive
 
The REAL program would like to thank YMCA- YCAN for their donation of gently used sports equipment.

"The REAL program was a big reason for the success of the YCAN Mentor-Based Hockey Program. Youth participants organized a gear drive to say thank you to the staff and also help out with a valuable community service." 

-Barry Smith, YCAN Coordinator
 


Fortis Inc.

Each year Fortis invest in programs and services that support stronger communities. As part of their community investment program, they donated $1,500 to the REAL Program in 2022. The REAL Program is thankful for these funds as they will support 15 children and youth throughout the Fall 2022 season.

 

Universal Corporate Wear 

The REAL Program would like to thank Universal Corporate Wear (UCW) for raising $3,200 through the sale of shirts for Pink Shirt Day. Universal Corporate Wear donated $1 for every t-shirt sold to REAL which resulted in supporting over 50 children.

This is the second year UCW have supported the REAL Program with the Pink Shirt Campaign. In 2021, they raised $3,115 for REAL with a two-year total of $6,315.

“Community outreach is a great way to connect with people and learn about the great work local organizations and nonprofit charities are bringing to the community,” says Lynn Hindy with Universal Corporate Wear. UCW has also supported the REAL Program for several years by providing sporting equipment for participants.


VOCM Cares Foundation 

VOCM Cares Foundation recognizes the importance of the REAL program in providing recreational and leisure activities for youth, regardless of a family’s financial situation. Ensuring open access to such opportunities and removing the financial burden for families allows the focus to be on the child’s health and well-being. VOCM Cares Foundation is proud to support this important program and help be there for local families.


The Kiwanis Club of St. John’s

The Kiwanis Club of St. John’s is pleased to financially support the REAL Program. Our club is part of the Kiwanis International organization, which is dedicated to improving the world, one child, one community at a time. By supporting the REAL program we can assure that children can participate in meaningful, organized and varied recreational programs which will enhance their social, physical and mental development.

In keeping with these goals our club also supports the Boys and Girls Club and the Kids Eat Smart program. Our signature project is the annual St. John’s Kiwanis Music Festival. We would be delighted to welcome new members to our club so that we can provide more service to the children of the St. John’s area.


United Way Newfoundland and Labrador

Joe Browne (Interim Executive Director), middle, Jennifer Konechny (Administrator) & right, Colton Politte (Communications Officer 211 NL Community Outreach Coordinator) 
 
“United Way Newfoundland and Labrador is extremely proud to a longtime supporter of the REAL Program. The UWNL mission is to improve lives and build community by engaging individuals and mobilizing collective action. The REAL program aligns perfectly within the UWNL funding pillar All That Kids Can Be by providing recreation and leisure opportunities through the provision of program and financial assistance to as many children as possible, who, due to financial circumstances, are unable to participate in registered activities. REAL is an invaluable program that helps break down barriers by covering the cost of registration fees and providing transportation and equipment to families in need. This program is a vital part of community life as it gives many children a great understanding in realizing their true potential.

UWNL provided funding 11 years since 2005 totally over $87,000.”

 


Eli Brown

"My name is Eli Brown, I'm from downtown St. John's and fell in love with sports when I first played basketball in grade 2 at Bishop Field elementary. I graduated from Holy Heart in 2020 and am going into my second year of Marine Biology at UNB-Saint John while playing varsity basketball. Kicks4KidsNL is an initiative I started this summer with the goal of breaking down the barriers in youth sports by providing good quality athletic sneakers so that all kids can feel and play their best. I believe that youth sports lay a foundation of health and teamwork, and everyone deserves an opportunity to learn these lessons. By taking the stress of buying a nice new pair of sneakers off of some parents backs we are hopefully making youth sports more accessible. I was surprised by the amount of support this project received and I’m excited to do it again next summer."
 


Paradise Running Club

The Paradise Running Club supported the REAL Program with a donation of $1,000 in 2020. These funds will support 10 children and youth with their recreational endeavors.
Thank you Paradise Running Club! 


St. John’s Kiwanis

Thank you to the St. John’s Kiwanis Club for their continued support of the REAL Program. This year’s donation supported 10 during the fall season.

 


Lester's Farm Market

Thank you to Lester’s Farm Market for their donation of $5,752 to the REAL Program from their 19th Annual Pumpkin Fest. This years event expanded to a month long format, providing games and fun fall activities throughout the month of October. This years donation will support 58 children and youth with their recreational endeavors.

 


Newfoundland Growlers

Thank you to the Newfoundland Growlers for their donation of gently used hockey equipment.
 

 


Athletics North East


The REAL program would like to thank Athletics North East for their donation of $250. This group has done an equipment drive annually as well as support the REAL program through the Cape to Cabot each year. We value their continued support.

 


United Way

"United Way Newfoundland and Labrador has been a long-time supporter of the REAL program, and in fact, this was one of the very first program UWNL funded when we started in the province in 2005. As one of United Way's key focus areas is "All That Kids Can Be", we recoginized the importance and the benefits of physical health and teamwork and how it is directly linked to a positive impact on mental health. United Way Newfoundland and Labrador is proud to support a program that supports children and youth who otherwise may not have the ability to access a recreational activity. Thank you, REAL program, for all that you do!"


Bell Aliant

"Providing the opportunity to participate in recreation and leisure activities is vital to the health and well-being of children and youth in our communities. The REAL program ensures that children and youth are given this opportunity no matter their financial situation. It is for this reason that Bell Aliant continues to be a proud, founding sponsor of the REAL program".

 


Cal LeGrow

"The Cal LeGrow Foundation is proud to support the REAL program! Providing the recreational placements that are so desperately needed by young people in the city of St. John's".

 


Murrins Family

The REAL Program would like to thank the Murrins family for their generous donation of $1000.

When Sherry Murrins son Justin was tragically killed in a car accident, the family searched for meaning. While nothing can take away the deep sadness, the family have found joy donating to REAL from "Justin's Birthday Bash".

"Our son loved children and we know he would be thrilled to help other kids. As an employee of the City of St. John's I know first-hand how this program works and I see the good work that my co-workers do. I also get to experience the smiles on the children's faces when they get to participate in a program which for some was only a dream."- Sherry Murrins


NL Craft Brewers Assocation (Royal St. John's Regatta)

During the 201st Royal St. John's Regatta the beer tent was operated, for the first time ever, by the Newfoundland and Labrador Craft Brewers Association. The REAL Program was delighted to be one of groups that received a donation from the NL Craft Brewers Association. The $2520.21 donation provided 25 placements for local children and youth.

 


Canada Post Community Foundation

For the first time, the REAL Program received a grant of $2000 from the Canada Post Community Foundation. We are truly grateful to have been selected as a grant recipient this year. Thank you on behalf of the children and youth who will benefit from these funds.

"Canada Post is proud to help organizations and projects that make a difference in the lives of Canadian children and youth. Through the generosity of our customers, the Canada Post Community Foundation is able to fund important programs in communities across the country every year."

 


For more information on supporting the REAL Program, call 709-576-8684 or 709-576-4556 or 709-576-2574, email real@stjohns.ca, fax 709-576-2308 or mail us at:

REAL Program
City of St. John’s
P.O. Box 908
St. John’s, NL
A1C 5M2

The REAL Program would like to thank funding partners and recreation organizations for their outstanding support and commitment to the children and youth of St. John’s. To view our 2017 year end report please Click Here.