A local hockey team is giving others the opportunity to play the game.
The Halton HIlls U13 AA Thunder held an equipment drive on the weekend for Their Opportunity, an organization that helps children overcome barriers to participating in sports. The team was able to collect 50 bags and 20 boxes of equipment for Indigenous youth.
The response to the drive was so strong that they're holding a second equipment collection from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday (Sept. 26) in the parking lot of Holy Cross Catholic Elementary School (222 Maple Ave., Georgetown).
“As a parent of three kids who all played hockey, you collect a lot of gear through the years,” said Jon Curran, who is organizing the drive. “This is a hockey town, so if we can share what we love and allow others to get involved and give them access to the game, then everyone wins.”
Both Endzone Sports Exchange and Canadian Tire contributed to the drive. Curran said he heard from many parents who missed the first collection, which is what prompted him to offer a second date.
“We’re so pleased with the outpouring of support from the Georgetown and Halton Hills community,” said Graham McWaters, the Indigenous equipment drive lead for Their Opportunity.
“The people collecting the equipment thank us for helping them. We thank them for donating and then we give the equipment to the communities and they thank us. You know you’re doing good work when you get three thank yous.”
McWaters said through equipment drives like this one, Their Opportunity is able to help approximately 1,000 Indigenous youths each year.
