Lions Club fits countless kids with sports equipment during annual Gear Up event

By ANNA SMITH Local Journalism Initiative on September 3, 2025.

asmith@medicinehatnews.com

On Sunday, families lined up outside Hockey Hounds Arena to get needed upgrades to equipment at the Lions’ Gear Up event.

This year marks the 12th iteration of the used gear drive, says James Higgins, member of the Lions Club of Medicine Hat. Over the course of a decade-plus, they Lions Club has helped more than 1,000 children get the hockey and ringette equipment they need to keep playing. This is an immense source of pride for the club, says Higgins.

“We always say, if there’s a need, there’s a lion,” said Higgins. “We’re glad to have everyone come through, whether to donate their equipment or to pick up gear, because we know it’s keeping these kids active, engaged and off their screens for a little while.”

With every table filled with various pieces of equipment, organizers expressed gratitude to the community for bringing their gear to be loved by someone new, and to DayzOff Pub and Sports Connection for their support over the years.

“I got a call yesterday from a guy from two years ago. His son won the door prize, and he was a goalie, and he picked up a goalie helmet, and he said that helmet has helped him, his kid, win two gold medals,” said Higgins. “So that just shows what things like this can do for these kids.”

7
-6