CORNWALL, Ontario – It’s a chance for local hockey fans to see community leaders playing alongside the Cornwall Colts, and behind the bench, while helping to raise funds for the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
The third annual Benson Cornwall Colts Charity Hockey Game takes place at the Benson Centre (Ice Pad 1) on Sunday, Dec. 12.
“It’s our pleasure to once again partner with the Benson Group to raise funds and collect food items for the St. Vincent de Paul Society just before Christmas,” said Colts owner and head coach Ian MacInnis.
In 2014, the game raised over $700 and 350 pounds of donations for the Cornwall food bank.
Celebrity coaches include local radio personality Dan Allaire, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cornwall & District executive director Amanda Brisson, SDG Warden Eric Duncan, and Shoeless Joe’s Cornwall owner Bobbi Latour.
The roster includes Marty Benson, Chris Fraser, Scott Lecky, Harold McBride, Chris Smith, Jeff Carter, Mike Graham, Rob Lefebvre, Tim McCuaig, Mike Turcotte, Paul Desnoyers, Brian Jans, Brendan MacDonald, Cornwall Coun. and Colts marketing and promotions manager David Murphy, Tom Everson, SDSG MP Guy Lauzon, Ian MacInnis, and Neil Sandilands.
Each player will be making a $50 donation, while fans will be asked for a non-perishable food item or a $5 contribution for admission to the game.
St. Vincent operates an emergency food bank on Tuesday and Friday mornings out of the basement of St. Francis de Sales church on Second Street.
The Catholic-based charity located in Cornwall is comprised of about 50 volunteers guided by an executive board of eight, selected from the volunteer pool.
St. Vincent’s ‘Christmas Basket’ initiative receives requests from as many as 60 singles, 50 couples, and 50 families; baskets include vouchers, an assortment of food, and children’s toys. The charity coordinates its food bank efforts with both the Agape Centre and Salvation Army to ensure fairness of distribution and curb any abuse of our assets.
St. Vincent is affiliated with the Ontario SVDP society at-arms-length and has neighbouring SVDP groups in Alexandria, Ottawa, and Kingston.