‘Kids in the Game’ helps C. Oregon youth play

Sports are one of the best ways to keep kids healthy, and national non-profit “Kids in the Game” is helping kids do just that, including right here in Central Oregon.

Kids in the Game’s motto is ‘every kid deserves a chance to play.’

Founded in January, 2010, the non-profit helps cover sports registration fees for underprivileged children.

In Central Oregon, it’s not just registration fees, but transportation that keeps kids from playing.

Last year, along with the help of St. Charles, the program was able to pay for an activity bus. This provided more than 3,000 rides for athletes at High Desert Middle School who otherwise would have had no way home after practice and games.

This year, the non-profit is happy to announce another first.

“We’ve been piloting a new program called the ‘Kids in the Game Pass,'” Natalie Hummel, executive director and founder of “Kids in the Game,” said Friday.

“The way the ‘Kids in the Game pass’ works is, we partner with agencies that work with low income kids, like FAN (the Family Access Network), Housing Works. They present that pass to the child, (who) can take that to any youth sports organization they want to get in the game, and it covers a portion of the registration fee.”

Les Schwab Tire Centers also have partnered with the non-profit to raise money. Together, they’re raffling off a 24-foot cargo trailer.Tickets are being sold until August 28th at Les Schwab Tire Center locations in Central Oregon for $5 a ticket, or five tickets for $20. The money from the ticket sales will go to ‘Kids in the Game.’

For more information: http://www.kidsinthegame.org/