The Grey Bruce Celebrity Hockey Classic in support of Easter Seals is set to take place in Port Elgin this week.
The event, which features NHL greats including Wendell Clark, Shayne Corson and Brad May, playing alongside locals is set to go on Friday, March 3rd, from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. at the Plex in Port Elgin.
The goal of the Hockey Classic is to raise funds for Easter Seals Canada.
Easter Seals Development Manager Charlene Myke says, anybody can watch any of the games. Admission is by donation.
“You can come in during the day, catch a couple of games. You know, you’ll probably be able to catch one of your favourite celebrities coming off the ice, get an interview, have a chat with them. The guys are all willing to chat with people. Take your picture with them,” says Myke.
Easter Seals advocates for children with physical disabilities, operate summer camps for them, fundraises for their accessibility and mobility equipment and participates in government consultations on issues affecting people with physical disabilities.
A local company called Strategic Way Consulting is also partnering in the event, and they’re collecting donations of hockey equipment for Indigenous youth.
Myke says, “There’s a real need for the equipment because it’s so costly as well, so we’re also having an equipment drive that day, that they’re sponsoring. We’re asking people that come to the game if they have old hockey equipment that they’re not using, that a child could use or that an adult could use to play hockey we’re asking them to bring it that day.” Myke notes the equipment should be current enough that it meets safety approvals.
Numerous local teams have raised funds to take part in the event. Anyone who wants to donate and help the teams raise money for Easter Seals can go so online to easterseals.org or celebrityclassic.com and select Grey Bruce to find teams to support.