There aren’t too many things more Canadian than hockey and helping.
It’s no wonder that Hockey Helps the Homeless is successfully entering its third year in Barrie. This year’s Hockey Helps the Homeless event takes place on Friday, March 3, at the Holly Community Centre and is set to be as successful as the last two.
Over the last two years the event has raised $150,000 in support of Redwood Park Communities and The David Busby Street Centre.
Executive Director of Hockey Helps the Homeless Ryan Baille believes this year they can reach their goal of $100,000.
“The day keeps getting bigger as more and more people want to help out,” said Baille. “This year we have 10 teams competing in the tournament and doing their best to raise money for some folks in the community who really need it. Organizing all of this is a lot of work, but our team gets motivated by how hard the sponsors and players work to get the word out and raise the funds.”
Barrie is the first stop on the second leg of the Hockey Helps the Homeless season. November 2016 saw a handful of games played throughout Canada and starting March 3 until May 3 there will be eight more in hopes of lending a hand. With so many charity and awareness campaigns happening throughout the county annually, Hockey Helps the Homeless takes a fun and different approach to involvement.
Team captains can pick celebrity players to be on their team at the draft night this Tuesday Feb. 28.
The Southshore Community Centre will have dinner and drinks for all in involved as well known NHL alumni can be picked for the teams to add to their line-ups for the Friday tournament.
“It adds a very fun element to the event and really rewards those who raised the most funds,” said Baille. “The draft starts at 6 p.m. and goes till about 8 p.m. and the first pick goes to the person who raised the most money and second to the next and so on. We have Mike Gartner, who is also our honourary chair, Kris King, Scott Thorton, Brad May and many others. It gives everyone a chance to socialize and get to know each other but we also have someone who will benefit from the funds raised and they give a testimony on their experiences. That’s the part that really has everything sink in and remind you why we do this.”
Sara Peddle is the Executive Director of the Busby Centre and is very thankful for all that the Hockey Helps the Homeless event does for the local Drop-In Centre and its programming.
As a Simcoe County community social service agency, The David Busby Centre has been operating a local drop-in centre, and providing outreach services in the Barrie area for over 23 years.
The Centre mandates are driven by a philosophy of empowerment to the participants from a non-judgmental approach. Individuals and families experiencing deep-poverty and homelessness access the Centre and its many resources. Peddle is excited for March 3 and the help that comes from it.
“The generous dollars raised through the amazing efforts of the Hockey Helps the Homeless will be used to continue operations, and enhance our community Drop-In Centre programing,” said Peddle. “Together with your support we are providing a tangible and invaluable access point for emergency shelter, housing and ongoing support, to those in our community experiencing deep-poverty and homelessness. We are looking forward to the 2016 Hockey Helps the Homelessness tournament, and all the positive enhancements its backing will bring to those accessing our services and our community.”
Many community members accessing the Centre’s services are often experiencing severe life challenges and other impacts due to deep poverty, including poor health, social isolation, complex mental health illnesses and addictions, physical, cognitive and social challenges, as well as, devastation from violence and abuse.
Peddle believes that one of the reasons there is so much support for the event and the DBC is due to the city they are in.
“The residence and business leaders in the city of Barrie care about people,” said Peddle. “If it is supporting healthcare, sport teams or organizations who serve our most vulnerable, the people of Barrie come together to make great things happen.” The festivities start Friday morning as registration opens at 7am. All teams will get fully equipped locker rooms, pro-style jersey and socks, breakfast, lunch, dinner and beer garden as well as a participant gift. For more information check out the website
