A local minor hockey team is showing the Chatham-Kent community that the size of the player doesn't determine the size of their heart.
The PeeWee Major AA Cobras with the Kent Minor Hockey Association made a $3,500 cheque presentation to the Canadian Cancer Society at Chatham Memorial Arena on Monday. The young players began their Hockey Fights Cancer campaign at the end of the summer by selling hockey pucks at $5 apiece to raise money for the cause. When purchased, each puck could also be dedicated to a loved one affected by cancer. The hockey association also sold baked goods during its Chuck-the-Puck event on November 16, which added to the final total.
Cobras Manager Kathy Cook said the campaign took on a life of its own and was extremely successful.
"We had talked about a goal of 300 pucks at a $5 a puck. We had thought $1,500 would be pretty nice donation so that the kids are taking part in an initiative outside of hockey, [that has them] thinking outside of themselves," she said. "And it turned into a very quick sale of those 300 pucks, which doubled."
The team managed to sell a total of 600 pucks with the help of a number of community sponsors who allowed the players to sell the pucks outside of storefronts and other areas.
"It's been an overwhelming response," said Cook. "[The players] are very blessed to have their lives and their lifestyle with hockey, so this just helps them to think of others and to give back."