For the fourth year in-a-row I take pride in being a volunteer for a national charity called Hockey Helps the Homeless. I have resided on the Kitchener-Waterloo committee the entire time, and it is has been a valuable experience helping out our community.
A bit of background, Hockey Helps the Homeless (HHTH) is a nationally registered charity that coordinates and executes one-day pro-am hockey tournaments where men and women get a chance to play with hockey greats and raise funds to address the needs of the estimated 250,000 people who will experience homelessness in Canada this year. HHTH is a volunteer based organization with over 1000 volunteers donating their time each year to organize and run tournaments across Canada.
The money raised in each city stays in each city. The five local agencies that receive money from our event include; YWCA K-W, House of Friendship, Lutherwood, oneROOF, and the Homelessness & Housing Umbrella Group (HHUG). In the first three years of our tournament we have raised $356,000. Because of the efforts of everyone involved in the K-W Hockey Helps the Homeless Tournament, the five local agencies we support were able to provide 1100 shelter bed nights in 2014, 1500 shelter bed nights in 2015, and 2225 shelter bed nights in 2016.
October 27, 2017 our fourth annual tournament will take place as usual at RIM Park from 8am-5pm. There are many ways you can get involved with HHTH K-W, play in the event, volunteer, donate and even sponsor. Some of us on our committee started organizing other events throughout the year to help raise more money. Last August I organized a bowling fundraiser through my business that generated $1750 and was allotted to our fundraising total. The head of our online/silent auction committee organized an event with the Waterloo Regional Police Male Chorus in June, raising a few thousand dollars as well.
I am happy to announce the Ultimate Bowling Fundraiser is back this May 1st, and our HHTH Waterloo Regional Police Male Chorus Concert will be on June 16th.
Being a volunteer with HHTH K-W is rewarding on many levels. Knowing that I am making a difference in our community is a great feeling, and we can always use your help to assist with our homelessness issues. Whether you are able to donate time or money, it is worthwhile to find a cause you believe in, and help as little or as much as you can.
Never hesitate to contact me to find out more how you could assist with HHTH K-W. Let’s chat!
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