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KidSport Richmond is introducing the Robert A Jackson Creating Community Champions Award to recognize individuals who emulate his commitment to be community champions.

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Award recognizes Jackson’s giving nature

By Don Fennell

Published 10:39 PST, Tue March 3, 2020

Last Updated: 2:13 PDT, Wed May 12, 2021

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Bob Jackson is being recognized for his lifetime of service to others.

The Robert A Jackson Creating Community Champions Award will pay tribute to the longtime Richmondite by annually recognizing individuals who emulate his commitment to “Champion for the Community.”

“We wanted to establish an award that honours an individual who has provided years of exemplary service in helping raise awareness and funds, so kids can play in Richmond,” explains Annie Watson, secretary of the Richmond chapter of KidSport.

“My slant on our slogan, Creating Community Champions, is often interpreted as giving the opportunity for kids to be involved in sport, and developing them into champions. However, this award epitomizes a person who champions for the underdog. He is always focused on the kids, championing for their opportunity to play.”

Watson has known Jackson for the better part of the last decade, and constantly amazed by his depth of knowledge and ability to access it on a regular basis. But she’s even more impressed by his dedication to the many different committees he’s served on, and the amount of time and fervour he’s served with. He currently serves as chair of KidSport’s Richmond chapter.

From his days as a boy growing up in Winnipeg to attending George Williams College in Chicago where he played volleyball on the men’s varsity team, Jackson has always dedicated himself to see the job through. He’s also a dedicated high school teacher in Richmond and makes consistent efforts to foster fair play and promote opportunities through sport.

In the summer of 2013, Jackson was sitting among colleagues at a monthly meeting of Richmond Sports Council when the subject of funding came up. The KidSport Richmond committee had just approved several applications, but Jackson explained they were forced to wait for grants to distribute the funds. That led an unexpected Good Samaritan to step forward, and the annual Creating Community Champions fundraising gala was born.

Sanjeet Sadana was at the sports council meeting as a member of the Richmond Cricket Club, but in his then-capacity as director of sales and marketing at the Hilton Vancouver Airport Hotel (he’s now the hotel’s general manager) he saw a way the hotel could extend a helping hand.

This year’s seventh annual Creating Community Champions Gala on Feb. 28 was sold out early, again reflecting the community’s strong support of this important initiative.

“You can’t say enough about Bob,” says honourary gala chair Bobby Singh. A proud Richmond High grad, Singh went on to become a BC Lion and pro football standout.

“I’m not sure if we have anyone on our committee that’s been dedicated to the sports in this city for as long as Bob. He’s such a great role model,” says Singh.

Steve Valenzuela, who chairs the annual fundraising gala, has also known Jackson for a number of years. In fact, Jackson was one of Valenzuela’s teachers at McNair Secondary.

“I hadn’t had much interaction with Bob since those high school days, until I started representing Richmond adult soccer on sports council about nine years ago,” he says. “From all my years of knowing Bob, he hasn’t really changed. He is a very compassionate man who deeply cares about the kids in our community. Everything he does is always with the kids in mind.”

Prior to the Creating Community Champions Gala, KidSport Richmond was forced to operate on a shoestring budget. Due to the very limited amount of available funds, in the past, the not-for-profit charity had decreased its maximum allocation to $150 from $200 per child. Today, thanks to the growing generosity of the community, KidSport Richmond is able to give out up to $500 per child per year—the highest figure in the province.

The inaugural Creating Community Champions Gala generated $25,518 in 2014, and funds have increased every year since reaching $49,968 in 2018. Since launching in 2008, KidSport Richmond has provided more than 2,300 grants totalling more than a quarter million dollars. More importantly, it has ensured thousands of Richmond kids have had the opportunity to enjoy the benefits of participating in sport.

There can be no greater gift.