International soccer star Christine Sinclair has scored big with her donation to a local daycare. Sinclair, captain of the Canadian women's soccer team, recently donated funds to St. Barnabas Daycare through her corporate sponsors.
"She donated $7,500 - it was $500 per goal scored in the Olympic qualifiers and the Olympics," said Jill Styan, manager of St. Barnabas Daycare. "We got another $10,000 because of her SportsNet Athlete of the Year. They donated on her behalf."
The first portion of the donation arrived in the summer and since then, Styan and her staff have been slowly replacing older toys, equipment and materials.
"We desperately need it," she said. "The $7,500, we want to use it toward toys, equipment and materials."
The centre has yet to determine what it will do with the $10,000 donation, but Styan said it will be put to a good use.
"We are a non-profit," she said. "We have a hard time making ends meet as it is."
Styan said the centre was "surprised and happy" that Sinclair chose to help the New Westminster centre.
"With limited funds I wanted to give to an organization that really needed help, and that the help would directly impact people," Sinclair wrote in an email to The Record. "By choosing St. Barnabas Daycare I know the donation will impact these children's lives."
Sinclair has a personal connection to St. Barnabas Daycare.
"I chose St. Barnabas because my niece attends the daycare and I see what a positive influence it has had on her," Sinclair explained. "I want what is best for these kids, and I know a small organization such as St. Barnabas will use the funds to directly impact the lives of these children."
She just finished playing in an international tournament with the national team in Cyprus.
"When I was growing up I never imagined I would be in the situation I am in today," wrote the Burnaby native. "Women's soccer has really taken off in the last few years, obviously highlighted by last summer's Olympics, and I feel it is my responsibility to give back when given the opportunity."
