Gear Up co-ordinator James Higgins poses with Austin Schibler, manager of Sports Connection, Hunter Colbe, a 13-year-old sledge hockey player and Craig Van Marion, owner of DayzOff Pub after utilizing the door prize at the Lions 10th Annual Gear Up event in late August.--SUBMITTED PHOTO
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The Medicine Hat Lions Club hosted yet another Gear Up Event in August.
On Aug. 19 and 20 the local club helped 87 families get their kids’ hockey and ringette equipment they would not be able to get ahead of the 2023-24 winter sport season. The dozens of kids helped is an increase of roughly 10 from the year prior, and exceeds 1,000 kids helped in the 10 years the initiative has run. Program co-ordinator James Higgins says they’re proud to help as many people as they could.
“(The increase) is good and bad, it means the need is out there but it’s nice that we are able to help that many,” Higgins said. “Its a double-edged sword, it’s unfortunate that the need is there but we’re grateful we’re able to help with the need.”
This year’s Gear Up event featured a door prize sponsored by DayzOff Pub, and anyone who picked up equipment could enter their name, with the winner receiving help to finish equipping their kids.
The winner was 13-year-old sledge hockey player Hunter Colbe who was all suited up at Sports Connection Source For Sports. Higgins says Sports Connection gave the Lions a discount for the promotion and the DayzOff Pub went beyond its original investment to ensure Colbe was fully outfitted.
That offer, paired with the generosity of the Medicine Hat Tigers to donate some equipment and practice jerseys, meant a lot to Higgins.
“It means the program is gaining some recognition, people are starting to realize that we’re fulfilling a need,” Higgins said. “It’s nice to see that real-world organizations and more people are coming out and giving us a hand for this program.”
He thanks both DayzOff and Sports Connection for the support as well as Cazes Fruit Stand and Taco Time for utilization of advertising displays.
Higgins classified the event a success the second the first family looking for gear came through the doors at the Hockey Hounds arena.
“Every year we help a kid is a success,” Higgins said. “Even if only one kid shows up and we get them geared up, we consider that a success.”
Also on site at the event was KidSport, another program available for Medicine Hat and area families in need by providing grants to those facing financial barriers so they can participate in registered sports.
They cover registration costs of sports for kids 18 and under for up to $300 per year per child, and Higgins says they were able to inform some families and point them in the direction of getting the aid.
Anyone looking for more information of KidSport and how to apply for a grant can do so at kidsportcanada.ca/alberta/medicine-hat-and-redcliff/.
While not yet set in stone, Higgins says there are already plans underway for next year and what would be the 11th annual Gear Up event. He says there may be some changes to the program but the main focus will remain the same, helping people who can’t afford hockey and ringette equipment get geared up and on the ice.
