• Community
• Kirkland

Friday, May 23, 2008

Otis Grant: Hockey event scores a goal for Lakeshore foundation

posted by BOFarrell at 12h19

This past Saturday, the 94.7 Hits FM Hockey Marathon in aide
of the Lakeshore General Hospital Foundation celebrated its fifth
anniversary.

In the past four years, this event has generated approximately
$160,000 for the Lakeshore General Hospital Foundation. And the goal
this year was to raise an additional $40,000.

The day filled with hockey took place at Excellent Ice in Kirkland
and consist of 47 hours of hockey on three rinks.

This year's marathon had 60 teams. Each paid a minimum of $500 to
play against one of nine local media hockey teams or a maximum of
$1,000 to play against one of the NHL alumni teams, the Canadian
women's Olympic team or the players from the television series Les
Boys.

Marty Lamarre has been organizing the Hockey Marathon for the past
five years. He saw this occasion as a way of not only having fun,
but also as an opportunity to give back to the community at the same
time.

Thanks to his efforts, as well as the work done by a large number
of volunteers, the gifts, prizes and food donated by the sponsors
made for a memorable and eventful time.

Teams came from near and far. The majority of the teams, however,
were West Island based.

Though the players were playing for a good cause and the rules made
it so that there was minimal contact, the players were trying to win
their games. When you get a bunch of guys on the ice in a
competitive game situation, even though you are suppose to be
playing for charity, that notion of "it doesn't matter if you win or
lose as long as you have fun" goes out the window.

Overall, it is quite commendable when local companies and
individuals take the time to have fun doing something that they
enjoy while simultaneously aiding a greater good.

I know first-hand the importance of the support from local
companies and individuals and the difference that your support will
make in the lives of families who need it. For that reason I take my
hat off to Lamarre and his staff at 94.7 FM, the volunteers, the
sponsors, the celebrity and media teams and finally all the
companies and individuals who entered a team in the Hockey Marathon
because together we do make a difference in the lives of families in
our community.

Otis Grant, a former world boxing champion, is co-ordinator of the
Riverdale High School Community Learning Centre.