Lions Club of Medicine Hat member James Higgins organizes some chest protectors last year during Gear Up. -- NEWS FILE PHOTO
mcranker@medicinehatnews.com@mocranker
The Lions Club of Medicine Hat has cancelled its annual Gear Up campaign.
Gear Up is typically held every year on a weekend in August, and it allows families to get free, used hockey gear for their children.
“We’ve unfortunately had to cancel Gear Up this year,” said president James Higgins. “For the sake of public safety, we just don’t want to take any chances.”
The program hands out hockey and ringette gear to dozens of kids each year, allowing them the chance to play sports. Higgins says the club couldn’t find a way to make it work this year.
“There was no way to guarantee that the gear was sitting untouched for 48 hours,” he said. “We just don’t want to take the chance of anything happening and anyone getting sick.
“It’s just not feasible for us.”
Higgins says the club was looking forward to this year’s Gear Up and will do its best to stay involved in the community during the pandemic.
“We’re so sorry that we can’t do this – we really want to apologize to the community,” he said. “We know a lot of people rely on this and we hope we’re not letting too many people down.
“We’re already looking forward to next year.”
