Canadian Tire continues to help youth enjoy hockey through its unique skate sharpening fundraising.

Yesterday, the local Canadian Tire donated $6,625 to Cochrane Minor Hockey (CMHA) as one of its ongoing initiatives to make sports inclusive for youth.

It's now the eighth year of a program established by store owner Rob Hatch. The store charges $5 to sharpen skates, and 100 per cent of that goes to minor hockey. 

"One of our goals with this donation to Cochrane Minor Hockey is to enrich the lives of local kids and families through sports and physical activity by reducing the costs to participate," says Hatch.

Store general manager Chris Birch says this is the most ever contributed through the program, reflecting the growth in the community.

"It is the largest amount donated so far, so we're thrilled to be able to do that, and hopefully next year we'll be able to set another record."

The local store is also known for its contribution to local sports through the Canadian Tire Jumpstart program. All dollars donated and raised for the program in Cochrane stays here to benefit local youth.

"Several people have seen us with JumpStart in the community," says Birch. "It's another branch of that, and we're happy to do it."

Shelley Javorsky, CMHA operations coordinator and ice scheduler, says the donation is combined with other resources to help a lot of families suffering from the impact of the economic downturn.

"We also go through KidSport and Jumpstart, so we're able to help a lot of families with having our own hardship fund as well. We are able to help get families almost 100 per cent paid with the help of those three support groups."

She says they also received a donation from the Yelnats Cup this year.

CMHA has more initiatives in the works.

"It's building, and in the future, we'll be announcing another fundraiser to build on that account again, so we'll be able to help more and more families play hockey in Cochrane."

CMHA president Pierre Landry appreciates programs like this.

"Having the support of local businesses like Canadian Tire means that we will continue to ensure hockey remains accessible to more families in the community," he says.