
May 21, 2014 · 0 Comments
Members of Scotiabank’s First Street Branch hockey team presented $5,000 to the Jennifer Widbur Memorial Hockey Tournament last Thursday to assist in their annual fundraising campaign for cancer care at the Headwaters Health Care Centre.
“This is a huge donation, it’s the largest donation we have ever had, and it will be added to the total that we raised from the tournament to present to Headwaters, hopefully within the next week,” said Mike DeLaat, who helps run the tournament each year.
“We still don’t know the total amount raised yet; it’s not revealed until we present the big cheque to the hospital.”
The tournament is held in honour of Mr. DeLaat’s late wife, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005 and lost her battle in 2007, leaving behind their two boys, Quinn and Logan.
“She was a hockey mom,” explained Mr. DeLaat. Following her passing, “her ‘teammates’ – her fellow hockey moms – were sitting around the dressing room one day and decided that they should have a tournament, and that was how it all started. We had our first one in the spring of 2008.”
This year’s tournament, which doubles over as the fundraiser, featured thirteen teams in two separate division; one for experienced players and one for inexperienced. The women who participate are all over 30 and vary from playing regular hockey, to once a week, to some who only play once a year in the tournament.
“We’ve raised over $200,000 now for the hospital, almost $30,000 for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, $40,000 or more for Honeywood Minor Hockey, and we’ve also made donations to Hospice Dufferin,” said Mr. DeLaat.
“It’s a very good tournament, gives back to the community, and it’s the local businesses who really get involved and help to make this happen every year. It’s absolutely wonderful.”
He added that it feels great to have the support of friends and local businesses like Scotiabank towards something that not only honours his late wife, but provides the opportunity to touch the lives of other women and families going through similar circumstances.
“My wife would be totally embarrassed by the attention, but it’s a wonderful legacy to leave and a great way to remember who she was and what she was all about,” he said. “She lost her battle, but at the same time, we’re maybe helping some others win theirs, and that’s what it’s all about.”