November 14th, 2021. By: Elizabeth Keith, newmarkettoday.ca, Original Article.
The tournament brings together professional players with local amateurs to support 360°Kids and Blue Door.
Blue Door
The Hockey Helps the Homeless tournament is coming to Newmarket this December in support of 360°Kids and Blue Door.
The tournament will take place on Friday, Dec. 10 at the Magna Centre in Newmarket.
Players register online and must each raise $500 before game day to participate in the tournament.
This year in York Region, they are aiming to raise $200,000 with the funds staying in the community at Blue Door and 360°Kids.
“Right now, York Region’s homeless need our help more than ever before. While life as we know it has changed drastically, the fight continues for our community’s most vulnerable and the frontline workers that serve them,” the website said.
It cites additional costs for PPE, sanitation, and increased demand on the shelter system as concerns for their beneficiaries.
To date, the Hockey Helps the Homeless initiative has raised $1.3 million in York Region alone.
The organization was started in 1996 when a group of Toronto businessmen saw an opportunity to raise money through a corporate fundraiser.
Since then they have developed partnerships with former NHL and Olympic hockey players to become a pro-am tournament and expanded all across the country.
Registration is open online for those wishing to participate in the upcoming tournament for York Region.
Once registered, you will be added to a team roster ahead of the event. On game day, you’ll receive your jersey and compete on ice with your teammates, all while supporting a good cause.
On game day, participants are treated like pros with a fully equipped locker, customized team jerseys and socks, complimentary food and beverages, and each team is joined by one former NHL player.
You must provide proof of full vaccination to take part in the tournament.
If you want to support the cause but don’t play hockey, you can donate online.