Jessica Eaman was a vibrant young woman who died tragically in a motor vehicle accident in March of 2012 at the age of 26. Jessica was passionate about cross-country skiing, the environment, and sustainable living.
Jessica was an avid cross-country skier at Sovereign Lake Nordic Club. She started skiing as a child in the Jackrabbits program. She raced, coached, and at the time of her accident, she was working at Sovereign Lake and studying at UBC. She was a face recognized for her smile, her expertise in fitting newbies up with skis and describing the trails. She played a large part in the day-to-day operations and showed immense support for the children and youth in the Jackrabbits program at Sovereign Lake Nordic Club.
The JESS4KIDS fund (Jessica Eaman Ski Scholarship 4 Kids), created in Jessica’s memory, provides funds to children and youth who would not otherwise be able to afford cross-country skiing or snowshoeing opportunities at Sovereign Lake Nordic Club.
To apply for funding through the Jess4Kids Fund please contact the Sovereign Lake Nordic Club directly. The Jess4Kids Committee reviews all applications prior to approval.
Apply Today
Who can apply: School Groups from Regional School Districts, Spirit North, OKIB, Splatsin FN, as well as any youth residing in the North Okanagan area can apply to the Jess4Kids Ski Scholarship Program for funding for the 2025/2026 season for Sovereign Lake Nordic Club run programs and activities.
What can J4K funding cover? Equipment rentals, tickets/passes, bussing. We can not provide funding for item such as clothing and equipment purchase outside of our organization.
All applications are reviewed by the JESS4Kids committee.
KidSport Vernon (Greater Vernon)
We provide grants to help cover the costs of registration fees so that all kids aged 18 and under in Vernon (Greater Vernon) can play a season of sport.
Our chapter accepts applications and administers grants of up to $350 per child/year, for kids who live in Vernon (Greater Vernon), or in one of the other communities we serve. If you live outside of Vernon (Greater Vernon) please contact the Provincial Office to find your nearest chapter, or to get support through the Provincial Fund.
What is a KidSport Grant?
- Children 18 and younger could be eligible for up to $350 per child, per calendar year (January – December). Parent/guardians may apply more than one time in a calendar year but the total amount of grant(s) that will be given will not exceed $350
- Sport activities must be affiliated with the member sport organizations of Sport BC and demonstrate a sustained sport experience (a season of sport led by a qualified coach) for a minimum of 6 weeks and include at least one session per week. For a list of eligible sports, and to find a local club near you, visit https://kidsportcanada.ca/british-columbia/who-do-we-fund/
- Camps, equipment, travel to playoffs, fundraising, championships, and dance do not qualify.
- Applications must be received prior to, or at the beginning of the requested season of sport
Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities provides financial assistance to help children from low-income families participate in sport-focused activities.
Grants cover eligible registration and equipment costs of up to $300 per year, per child. Please see below for more information on grant eligibility and the application process.
Individual Child Grants may no longer be available in some Chapters where Jumpstart is able to invest in local community-run programs and initiatives. Please see the FAQ page for more information about this change.
Funding Requirements
- Children must fall between the ages of 4 – 18 years old.
- Funding is allocated to sustained programs that involve a sport or physical activity.
- Programs should be a minimum of five weeks in duration and include at least one session per week. In the case of sports camps, the program must last at least five consecutive days for consideration.
