After being told by his doctor to make a career change, a Ponoka man is returning to his passion and helping the Ponoka Youth Centre any way he can.
Shane Kinniburgh has been volunteering the youth centre for the past three months and a month ago received a phone call from the Scotiabank Game Changers program, asking him to make a profile.
“I thought about it for a second, I was like, really?” said Kinniburgh, astounded.
He believes being nominated and receiving the call was a blessing for the centre. “The youth centre needs as much help as it can get.”
Kinniburgh has a hunch he was nominated by one of his friends and rival football fan but no one is owning up. “I would like to find out . . . I just want to say thank you.”
The program promotes charities and helps organizations across Canada, and because Kinniburgh has involved the youth centre, Game Changers could also expose Ponoka youths to more funds and opportunities.
Kinniburgh has told his friends about his profile and has posted it on Facebook, and he’s urging as many people to visit his profile at https://www.scotiabankgamechangers.com/ to vote. ‘The more votes we get the better.”
Kinniburgh is also putting in his intern hours with Youth Unlimited, a program he’ll continue to work with into next year as he attends Ambrose University College in Calgary and further explores youth ministry.
Kinniburgh spent many years in Camrose making an impact; showing troubled teens it takes only one positive force for them to turn their life around. “I love working with youth. I’ve been there and done everything they’ve done.”
The Game Changers program, in conjunction with participating CFL teams, awards leading nominees with $1,000 towards their organization at each team’s home game over the season.
At their team’s last home game the winning nominee will receive another $25,000 and a VIP trip to see the 101st Grey Cup in Regina.