A lot of Canadian kids who play hockey will spend part of their Christmas morning unwrapping a new pair or skates, a new stick or a new set of shin pads. In the majority of these Christmas cases, the gift of new hockey equipment is a direct result of another childhood growth spurt.
That means the equipment being replaced is usually in pretty good shape and completely worthy of your goodwill and generosity. In other words, "Tis the season to donate your gently used hockey gear to children who don't have access to their own equipment!"
Just before you start loading up the back of the van, here are a few ideas of how and where to make your donation.
Do-it-yourself
Looking for that perfect New Year's resolution? How about creating your own used hockey equipment drive. Ottawa police constable Louise Lafleur and co-worker Bev Mulligan did just that and they've managed to provide hockey equipment for the children of a small village in Nunavut.
Mulligan says it started with a simple challenge within police headquarters to see who could collect the most equipment. Once everyone started spreading the word over the internet, the project grew to the point where approximately 150 children in a remote Northern community have recently been outfitted with some of the hockey skates donated back in Ottawa.
If you do plan to create your own used equipment project, don't start collecting until you have a worthy recipient in place to start. This might require working the phones or surfing the net, depending on how deep your contact list goes.
Then, according to Ms. Mulligan, it's important to have transportation and storage in place before any sticks or skates are collected. The easiest way to get that ball rolling is the internet. Let everyone in your address book know what you're trying to accomplish and they'll help spread the word.
Once your project goes viral, somebody will eventually forward the email to a co-worker who has a friend who knows a lady who knows a guy who works for an airline, or a trucking company or a storage facility, etc.
After your transportation and storage goals are scored, let the whole world know you're collecting 'gently used' hockey equipment! You could be the next Louise Lafleur providing the gift of hockey to another group of Canadian youngsters.
KidSport Canada
KidSport Canada is a national organization willing to accept your used hockey equipment at any point during the year. KidSport has over 160 local and regional chapters in Canada, all working toward the common goal of providing hockey and general sports support to children with financial barriers blocking their path.
A quick Google search should provide you with even more ideas as to who else is collecting in Canada and when.
Your own backyard
The simplest donation route might be found in your own backyard. Does your local minor hockey organization have a yearly charitable equipment drive? What about your local community centre or local businesses or local charities?
With a bit of research, I'm sure you'll find somebody in your neighborhood more than willing to take your used hockey equipment off your hands and put it into the hands and onto the feet of Canadian kids in need.
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