By Tyler Sutherland
Youth looking to get off the streets and occupy their time by playing sports now have another option with the formation of the North End Hockey Program (NEHP).
The program hopes to meet the demand of approximately 115 North End children and youth who wish to play hockey this year. Mentors, coaches, managers and drivers will make up the 15 volunteer positions throughout the program to help it run smoothly.
The NEHP — backed by Mayor Sam Katz and the Amadeus Steen Foundation — is seeking donations of both cash, and hockey equipment to successfully get things up and off the ground.
On top of ensuring that all kids have an opportunity to play, another part of the NEHP Committee’s goals for the 2010/11 Minor Hockey season is to establish partnerships, create opportunities, build capacity and leadership with North End families while promoting connectivity with other communities in Winnipeg.
The Amadeus Steen Foundation, Garden City Shopping Centre and KidSport are holding an equipment/fundraising drive on Saturday, August 21 at Garden City Shopping Centre. Fans will have the opportunity to meet Alex Steen (above) of the St. Louis Blues and NHL alumni Anders Hedberg between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. and also enter to win one of 4 pairs of tickets to see the Tampa Bay Lightning take on the Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks at MTS Centre.
Equipment donations can be made at the following locations:
River Heights Community Centre — 1370 Grosvenor Ave. (at Oak St.)
Allard Arena — 80 Allard Avenue
Gateway Recreation Centre — 1717 Gateway Rd. Winnipeg
Cash donations can be made securely online at CanadaHelps.org.
