Kingston Frontenacs goaltender fundraising for KHSC next season
Kingston Frontenac’s goaltender Mason Vaccari is engaging the community and raising funds for a worthy cause this upcoming hockey season.
On Thursday, Jul. 27, 2023, Vaccari announced the launch of a season-long initiative, Mason’s Miracles, that will see the pediatric wing at the Kingston Health Sciences Centre at Kingston General Hospital benefit from his skill and his time.
According to the Kingston Frontenacs, Vaccari will be personally donating 50 cents for every single save that he makes during the 2023-24 OHL season. In addition to the financial aspect, he also plans to donate his time by scheduling regular visits with the children in the pediatric wing.
Vaccari, who was drafted in the fourth round by the Kingston Frontenacs during the 2021 OHL Priority Selection, understands that getting healthy takes the proper resources, but that a smile and a happy mindset can go a long way.
“Kingston has been good to me, and I want to give back to the community,” said Vaccari. “I chose the pediatric wing of the hospital as the beneficiary because I know that being a sick child is difficult and scary. I want to help ensure that the children of Kingston get the best possible care to ensure they are treated and can return to home and school as quickly as possible and that they are as happy and healthy as they can be.”
In addition to donating 50 cents per save, Vaccari will also wear a new design on his mask for the 2023/24 OHL season, created by someone in the community. The Frontenacs said that, at the conclusion of the season, the mask will be auctioned, and the funds raised will be donated as part of the Mason’s Miracles fundraiser. Those interested in submitting a design can head to kingstonfrontenacs.com, download the PDF template and get to work creating a mask that Vaccari could wear for the entirety of the upcoming OHL season.
According to the Frontenacs, Vaccari will select his top three favourite designs, and each finalist will receive two tickets to a Frontenacs home game. The top three designs will then be put to a fan vote. The design with the most fan votes will win a personal meet and greet with Vaccari after a Frontenacs home game, as well as the two tickets earned for being selected as a finalist. Their design will be featured on Mason’s mask for the entirety of the 2023/24 season.
The deadline to submit a design is Thursday, Aug. 10, 2023, at 6 p.m.
Fans wanting to donate towards Mason’s Miracles can make a donation at any Kingston Frontenacs home game this season. The Home Opener is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 29, 2023, when the Frontenacs will take on the Oshawa Generals at 7 p.m.
“I am hoping that the funds raised can be invested into areas that make the children as comfortable as possible and to ensure that they have resources available to have and encourage fun,” he stated. “I hope that my visits to the hospital will put a smile on the face of every child I visit, because every child deserves to smile.”