REGINA - The Jax Mac Foundation is providing the next generation of athletes a chance to play the game they love.
The foundation, which was created around four years ago, was started in memory of Jaxon MacDonald.
His mom, Danielle Wilson, said the foundation "built upon all the things that he loved and encompassed who he was."
Wilson mentioned MacDonald’s best quality was being there for everyone.
"He would always step up and try to help anyone that he could."
The foundation provides youth with four grants, one of them for athletes.
The idea for the grant is to help those between the ages of 11 to 20 "pay for any costs related to fees and expenses," said Wilson.
Wilson noted MacDonald loved sports and travelling.
To date, over 160 athletes across Canada have received the grant, including Regina resident Markella Nagel.
Nagel is a volleyball player who has been playing the game since Grade 5.
She first became a player after watching the volleyball team at Campbell Collegiate.
However, for her upcoming season, the costs of expenses and travel felt like a burden on her parents.
Nagel is one of three siblings who play sports, which can add up to expenses.
With this in mind, she approached the Jax Mac Foundation to receive a grant.
When Wilson heard from Nagel, she could see her passion for volleyball and being involved in the community.
Nagel participated in team fundraisers, including raffle baskets and Cornhole tournaments, to raise money for the expenses.
She planned to use the grant to help her team with travel expenses, as most of the team faced as similar challenge to her.
Because of this, Wilson gave Nagel a $2,000 grant.
"It was a really easy choice so she could continue to pursue the sport that she loves," said Wilson.
Wilson said there have been other cases where the foundation has helped an athlete journey to receive Division 1 offers from schools in the U.S.
Knowing the foundation has helped many people out makes Wilson "very emotional."
"I think of how happy Jaxon is from helping somebody change their lives."
Wilson wanted to clarify that this foundation is for those self-motivated to chase their dreams.
"If you want something bad enough, you're going to find a way to do it, and we're going to help you."
This way, Wilson said, it can help kids understand the costs it takes for parents to fund activities.
She encouraged any athletes tond look into grants.
The foundation bases the grants on the needs of a recipient, but Wilson noted they don’t have an access amount of money to hand out.
As for Nagel, her team is heading to provincials in a few weeks.
She eventually wants to play volleyball in post-secondary school after finishing high school.
