It’s been over a year since I first met Grayson, his Mom and Sister whom I appropriately named “chatty Cathy” only due to our ongoing talks we have had either at White Spot or the DQ in Delta.
Grayson was the young spokesperson at Delta KidsSport when the event was held at Tsw Springs when he was involved with the program which is focused on helping other young athletes who are in need of support.
Since then we have become close and he’s the one young individual who has my personal cell number to call if he is not just news help but also just needing someone to talk with.
From our first meeting I’ll be honest and mention that life hasn’t been an easy road given the “run-a-round” he was given by a specific minor sporting association, knowing that at times he was looking to not just drop but also quit the sport altogether – and that’s sad.
I have been asked several times why he might look at playing the sport and all I will mention is that not just parents, but executive members can be downright mean in their approach when it comes to dealing with young persons and their parents.
Regardless he persevered through any issues he faced, which at times were many and eventually had the chance to become part of the Vancouver Canucks family.
A while back he took upon himself and his Family to collect used sporting equipment to donate it back to those less fortunate, which was something that not many or any would take on.
Congratulations to Play It Forward and their very first Community Swap at Cascades Casino Delta!
The event after much consideration was designed to help remove any financial barriers for Families to get today’s youth playing sports while mentioning it’s great to see the City of Delta join forces coming together for today’s youth.
“Families will be invited to take what they need and leave what they can, with absolutely no requirement to bring anything,” said a release from Play it Forward Sports, founded by Grayson Arthur who’s eight-years-old.
IN recent conversation with his Mother she told me that the idea all started with a simple act of kindness when he (Grayson) donated a piece of his own hockey equipment to another child who needed it.
Since then, that one donation has grown into a movement that has distributed more than 4,000 pieces of sports equipment to children and families throughout Delta.
Grayson has faced his own challenges such as autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, anxiety, learning disabilities, bullying, and the loss of his father, his mom said.
“Through those challenges, sports became his safe place — a space where he found confidence, belonging, mentorship, and purpose,” she said.
He now spends his free time collecting, sorting, delivering, and giving away sports equipment so that other kids can experience the same opportunities that sports provided him, she added. During the event, anyone can come and take what they need, no charge. Donations of any kind of sports equipment gloves, pads, skates, helmets etc. in reasonable and safe condition are welcome and can be dropped off at the Casino any time before the event.
From families donating and swapping sports equipment, to kids enjoying the bouncy castle and hockey ball, the day was filled with smiles and community spirit.
A special thank you to the Delta Firefighters for hitting the floor to play with the kids, and to Grip Rush for their generous giveaways that made the day even more memorable.
Thank you to everyone who donated, volunteered, and came out to support Play It Forward’s mission.
Every donation helps another child get the chance to play the sports they love. Because sometimes it’s not about getting them to practice—it’s about making sure they have the gear to get there.
Here’s to building a stronger community, one piece of equipment at a time.
See you at the next one!
Play It Forward Sports
Delta Firefighters Charitable Society
Delta Firefighters IAFF L-1763
MATCH Eatery & Public House
Griprush
The Play Patch
Conference Centre & Ballroom – Cascades Delta
City of Delta
(Stay tuned for highlights of the hockey ball game between Delta Firefighters v the kids… self named “the firefighter cookers”)
