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Local hockey moms help Northern community

February 4, 2016   ·   0 Comments

Used hockey equipment like gold to far north players

When there’s not much to do in a very small Northern town, playing hockey is one of the activities that can really provide a sense of community and give kids’ an activity to enjoy.

Hockey though, can be an expensive sport, especially when it comes to outfitting a player with full equipment and it becomes even more difficult when equipment just isn’t available in the town.

Several local hockey moms have gotten together to help the far North community of Pikangikum First Nations. It’s a isolated community in North Western Ontario with no road access and can only be reached by air travel.

Local Orangeville resident Kathleen Hill became aware of the need for hockey equipment in the town through her daughter Mary Hill who is a teacher at the reserve.

The town has a limited amount of hockey equipment and it was handed out on a ‘first come, first serve’ basis at the local arena.

Kids who attended school and fulfilled requirements were given the opportunity to play but it was difficult when players would show up only to find their size had already been taken.

Mary Hill mentioned “I wish we could get more equipment for them,” and a local idea was born.

Project Journey is an Ontario Provincial Police initiative that helps get the equipment to the community.

Local resident and Game Day Coordinator for the Orangeville Junior A Flyers, Eileen Warren partnered with Kathleen Hill and Cathy Bryson, self described ‘hockey moms’, to see what they could achieve locally to send equipment to Pikangikum.

“It’s word of mouth and social media has played a huge part in this,” Ms. Warren explained. “We expected to get some equipment and a couple of sticks, but we how have over 30 bags of equipment. We have player equipment, goalie equipment, and over 100 pairs of skates.”

Through volunteer involvement the equipment is transported to the town of Red Lake free of charge via Gardewine Trucking. It is then airlifted to Pikangikum through the OPP.

“You don’t realize what a privilege it is for these kids to play. Hockey can really bring people together,” Ms. Warren said.

Pikangikum has it’s share of difficulties as an isolated community.

Providing the equipment to play hockey can help the town provide activities for its youth and steer them away from the trouble an idle existence can lead to.

“Project Journey is about creating positive experiences and supporting the community. Hockey is one of those activities that brings a community together no matter that the circumstances may be.  All activities need supportive partnerships to help remove any barriers to participate.  By having our small group supplying equipment, this will give all youth access to a sport that promotes community, teamwork, participation and fun. The response from Orangeville residents has been outstanding with many people dropping off equipment. Local organization Spencer’s Kids has helped out and so have the Orangeville Flyers Junior A team. Project Journey (the program we are supporting) is about creating positive experiences and supporting the community. Hockey is one of those activities that brings a community together no matter that the circumstances may be..  All activities need supportive partnerships to help remove any barriers to participate. 

By having our small group supplying equipment, this will give all youth access to a sport that promotes community, teamwork, participation and fun. We reached out to the Flyers and everyone has contributed something,” Warren explained.

If you have some gently used hockey equipment you would like to donate to send the Pikangikum, you can contact Ms. Warren at 416-347-6603, to arrange either a pick-up or to drop off your donation. Donations are being accepted through to February 7.

By Brian Lockhart

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