Legacy to young athletes

Larry and Lorraine Johnson have spent more than their share of time at synchronized swimming and skating competitions over the years.

As they watched their three daughters and son grow, they became actively involved in their children’s sports.

"My two oldest daughters were in figure skating from the time they were six years old and my youngest daughter was in synchronized swimming," Larry explains. "I took on the skating duties and Lorraine took on the swimming."

Though their children are now adults, Larry and Lorraine still have strong ties to the sports. Lorraine is a judge for synchronized swimming and is on the board of Synchro Saskatchewan. Larry spent years on local, provincial and national boards for skating and still volunteers as an official for the sport, attending numerous competitions every year.
It is this strong history of involvement that convinced them to create a legacy gift to the sports that have been such an integral part of their lives.

"Our children gained a lot of enjoyment and learning experiences from their sports," he says. "As volunteers, Lorraine and I have received a lot of benefit as well."

When SaskSport approached committees in both sports about the importance of legacy gifts, they decided to create a gift of life insurance to ensure young athletes could obtain the skills, experience and support they need to compete at a high level.

"There is a real need to help swimmers and skaters access programs in which they can learn the sport and gain the confidence they need to help them succeed."

Larry says anyone who has benefited from a sport should consider a legacy gift.

"If you’re interested and have had positive experiences from sports as a player, or even as a volunteer, it is a worthwhile thing to consider," he says. "We all receive a lot of benefit from sport – a sense of accomplishment and well-being. It seems to me that it makes sense to put something back into the sport you love."