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Beaconsfield Oldtimers hand out $41,000 to charities
John Meagher
The Gazette
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
They may be getting older and a little slower on the ice, but the Beaconsfield Oldtimers keep scoring big for charity.
On Tuesday night, the BOHA handed more than $41,000 to 19 worthy organizations and community groups at its annual Donation Ceremony at Beaconsfield Arena.
Since the tournament’s inception 11 years ago, the BOHA has raised more than $400,000.
Tourney president Terry O’Neill said the bulk of the donation money is raised through raffles and advertising in the tournament program. Corporate sponsors, like London Life, Air Transat and Via Rail, among others, also contribute funds and raffle prizes.
Recipients of tournament proceeds include the West Island Palliative Care, Beaconsfield Meals on Wheels, Réves d’Enfants, AMCAL and the West Island Women’s Shelter, to name a few.
O’Neill said the 100 or so active members of the BOHA are encouraged to pitch in and make the tournament a success, both on the ice and as a community fundraising event.
“Everybody gets involved on one way or another,” he said.
As O’Neill points out, the 20-team Beaconsfield tournament is not the biggest around, but it does raise a lot of money.
“Because of our attention to detail, we are able to keep our costs down at an absolute minimum ensuring that our charities benefit.”
O’Neill said the Donation Night ceremony is a special evening for BOHA members “because it’s important for the guys to see where the money is going.”
The Beaconsfield Oldtimers have been around for 37 years. The six-team league has players between the ages of 35 and 76.