Kingston to host inaugural Hockey Helps the Homeless tournament

Hockey Helps the Homeless has partnered with OneRoof and Trellis for the 1st Annual Pro-Am Charity Hockey Tournament to raise funds to support people experiencing homelessness.

On Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, the one-day charity hockey tournament offers people of all genders a chance to play with hockey greats while raising funds to address the needs of the estimated 250,000 people experiencing homelessness in Canada every year. Net proceeds from the tournament will support people who access the low-barrier services OneRoof and Integrated Care Hub offer to youth and adults here in Kingston.

According to a release from Tourism Kingston, Hockey Helps the Homeless (HHTH) is a nationally registered charity that has granted over $24M to end homelessness in Canada since 1996. The annual cost to society of homelessness is over $7B annually, Tourism Kingston reported.

“We are proud to partner with OneRoof and Trellis’ Integrated Care Hub as we harness the power of sport to help people experiencing homelessness in Kingston,” said Andrew Gucciardi, Executive Director of Hockey Helps the Homeless.

Each of the teams registered will play alongside hockey greats from the Canadian women’s Olympic team and NHL Alumni including Doug Gilmour, Jayna Hefford, and Al Iafrate, and musicians including Paul Langlois of The Tragically Hip, according to the release. Many players with connections to Kingston, including Jay McClement, Todd Gill, and Mike Zigomanis are also available to draft.

“Tourism Kingston is a proud sponsor of Hockey Helps the Homeless and we’re thrilled to see the event hosted in Kingston. With the city’s rich hockey history, sport-hosting strength, and our engaged, charitable community it’s a great fit for Kingston and Kingstonians,” said Megan Knott, CEO of Tourism Kingston.

HHTH is looking for free agents to play alongside the pros for the day. Those interested in volunteering or playing as a free agent are asked to email [email protected] to get involved.

Beyond the one-day tournament, HHTH is raising funds through a silent auction and raffle.

The silent auction is live and includes items such as concert tickets, band merchandise, paintings, signed hockey jerseys, and more. Access the auction at https://mobilbid.co/url/RUL82IFV or by texting HHTH to 1-613-707-1811. All proceeds will support local beneficiaries. HHTH

Tickets are available for HHTH’s “The Tragically Hip” themed raffle. Tourism Kingston included the following descriptions of the prize packages:

Package 1: The Great Canadian Campfire Package (Value: $19,483.80)

Enjoy an evening at scenic Robinson Farms Sugar Shack, complete with a dinner for 20 cooked by renowned Kingston restauranteurs Matt and Clark Day, and a campfire featuring Paul Langlois and Gord Sinclair of The Tragically Hip. Enjoy music from local Kingston artist Quentin Coughtrey while sipping on The Tragically Hip wine and Lake Fever Lager. The ultimate Canadian evening!

Package 2: The Fooooore Package (Value: $10,000)

Grab your eigh closest friends (nine including you) and golf a round at the Cataraqui Golf & Country Club with pros Kirk Muller, Paul Langois, and Gord Sinclair. After the round, you and your friends will head to Woodenheads for dinner for the nine of you ($1,500 gift certificate).

Package 3: (Value: $4,012.71)

Enjoy two nights in the Backstage Room at The Frontenac Club in Kingston. While staying in the historic downtown, enjoy two fabulous dinners at Olivea and The Frontenac Club’s own The Bank. Take home two bottles of The Tragically Hip wine, a framed David Bastedo photograph of The Tragically Hip’s last show, and a The Tragically Hip Hockey Jersey. In case that wasn’t enough – you also win two amazing tickets (Sec 101, Row 7) to watch the Toronto Maple Leafs take on the Carolina Hurricanes at Scotiabank Arena on December 30, 2023.

Tickets are available for $50 or five for $100. A total of 3,200 tickets will be available. The draw will be held on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, at 44 East Beaver Creek Rd, Richmond Hill, L4G1G8. Tourism Kingston said that the winner need not be present. Sales are open to those in Ontario who are 19+.

Purchase tickets at https://www.rafflebox.ca/raffle/hhth

Learn more about Hockey Helps the Homeless on their website, and make a charitable donation here: https://hhth.akaraisin.com/ui/ygk/pledge/sponsor/start