While it won't be doing demonstrations as seen here, the monster truck 'Train Wreck' will be in attendance at this year's Jumpstart Day at Mowbray's Canadian Tire in Port Elgin.

Hub Staff

There will be something for everyone this Saturday, May 26 at Mowbray’s Canadian Tire in Port Elgin as they hold their annual Jumpstart fundraising event.

Taking place from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Jumpstart Day will include a bike rodeo, bike tune-ups from Martin’s Bicycle Shop, face painting and a by-donation charity barbecue with the Mowbray family and volunteers serving hamburgers, hotdogs and fried onions.

NASCAR’s Whelen All American Series driver Nick Goetz will be there with one of his race cars and new this year Dan Kerry will have his monster truck 'Train Wreck' on site available for viewing.

Tyler Middleton from the Ontario Blue Jays will also be on hand demonstrating some pitching skills and timing how fast members of the public can throw a ball.

Jumpstart is a Canadian Tire charity that raises funds to help families cover costs associated with children’s sports with all the money raised from Jumpstart Day in Port Elgin going to benefit the local community, said Canadian Tire’s Eleanor Mowbray.

“The corporation will match what we raise so you can really double the bang for your buck,” she said. “Anything we make on a hamburger or if people just want to donate to Jumpstart, it stays right in our area,” she added.

Mowbray said that in 2017 through the Jumpstart program, Mowbray's Canadian Tire gave out $30,000 helping 143 children in the area, the top five sports being hockey, soccer, dance, gymnastics, and swimming. “They've also started doing Scouts and Brownies, which is good because it's just promoting activity,” she added.

The Jumpstart program is for children age 4 to 18. “It will look after registration or equipment, just to give them a hand up and get them into programs,” said Mowbray. “We've dealt with just about every athletic organization in town which has been great and some just on the outskirts and so they're used to how the process works,” she said.

The application process is completely confidential and families can apply online. Visit jumpstart.canadiantire.ca/content/microsites/jumpstart/en/apply.html for more information.

If people do not have access to a computer or they feel more comfortable talking to someone in person, they can call 519-832-6995 and ask for Eleanor. “It's completely confidential,” she said. “It's very discreet.”

“The best way to find out more is come on out, have a burger and see what it’s all about,” said Mowbray. “It's pretty awesome,” she added.

The Saugeen Shores Police Service annual Bike Auction will also take place in the Canadian Tire parking lot before Jumpstart Day, getting underway at 10 a.m.