A new initiative to make hockey and figure skating more accessible for all has been launched in Stirling-Rawdon.
The proceeds of this year’s Shawn Coffin/ Wayne Brown Memorial Tournament Slo-Pitch tournament have helped launch the Shawn Coffin and Wayne Brown Equipment program to supply skating and hockey equipment to those in need.
Colleen Reid, Shawn Coffin’s sister says a container has been placed behind the Stirling-Rawdon arena which will house the equipment.
“Hockey is a really expensive sport as everybody knows so hopefully this will give access to a lot of people that wouldn’t necessarily have had it before.”
Family and friends gathered at the container Saturday to launch the program.
A special collection day is coming up later this month.
“We partnered with a variety of groups including Stirling-Rawdon Township, the Barry Wilson Memorial Fund, Friends of Stirling, Stirling Rotary Club and the Lions Club of Stirling. So on Sunday, November 24 at 11 a.m., we’re going to have a drive-thru drop-off. It doesn’t matter what the weather is, you don’t have to get out of your car and everybody can just drive through if they have items to donate.”
The program is accepting lightly used hockey and skating equipment, however, used helmets cannot be accepted due to safety regulations.
To donate equipment any other time, send an e-mail to scwbtournament@gmail.com to set up a time.
Family and friends at the launch of the Shawn Coffin and Wayne Brown Equipment program at Stirling-Rawdon Arena, November 8, 2024. (Photo: submitted)
Anyone in need of equipment can also send an email to scwbtournament@gmail.com.
The slo-pitch tournament began 18 years ago in memory of Shawn Coffin who passed away at the age of 29.
One of the organizers of the tournament, Wayne Brown, also passed away a few years later and the event was renamed in honour of both of them.
“We’ve raise over $76,000 for the community. And it’s just really a homecoming every summer for friends near and far. We have people from all over Ontario coming to play and, yeah, it’s like a huge homecoming.”
In previous years, funds raised have gone towards causes like the children’s playground at the Springbrook Ball Park, Belleville General Hospital, the Field of Ability, families in need and more.
