Hometown Staff
editorial@pdgmedia.ca
The Smiths Falls Peewee Bears have been so blessed this year, reaping the rewards of learning how giving feels so much better than receiving.
Even though the team did not win the physical Chevrolet Good Deeds Cup, they won the hearts of the community and embraced the spirit of giving, which team manager Tina Hughes says is far more powerful. And, because the team made such a big impacted in the community Chevrolet Canada will be doing a spotlight on the Smiths Falls Peewee Bears and the town. Hughes says details are being worked out but the spotlight will be aired on TSN during the Stanley Cup playoffs.
The young Bears ended up collecting 5,000 pounds of food that stuffed the Salvation Army’s food cupboard. Once they found out that they did not win the cup, the team found new energy and decided to launch “Operation Goldilocks.”
The money won through the Good Deeds Cup ($6,000) was enough money to send 18 local kids to camp. “Our goal was 33 kids and no kid would be left behind,” explains Hughes.
One family on our team decided to sponsor a camper and challenged the community to help raise enough money to send the remaining 15 kids to camp.
At the time of print, the Smiths Falls Peewee Bears had raised enough money to send a total of 29 campers to the Salvation Army summer camp. “I can assure you that this team will raise enough money for the last five kids by our self-imposed deadline of March 9,” says Hughes.
Anyone who wishes to make a donation or sponsor a child should contact Mama Bear ~ Lisa Vaughan at 613-285-9591.
Despite being hyper focused with doing good deeds around town, the Bears never lost their focus on the ice. The Peewee Bears earned a playoff spot, and played their first playoff game on March 5.
The team is also getting ready for their last tournament of the season, to be held in Kingston on March 23-25. They also plan to set up an exhibition game with Quinte, another finalist in the Good Deeds Cup.
An anonymous donor gifted the team a box at the Canadian Tire Centre, tickets, coach bus and snacks for the ride so on March 27 the Bears will be cheering on the Sens when they face off against the Islanders. “This is a true testament that you reap what your sow,” says Hughes.
This article was first published in the March 2018 issue of Hometown News. For more articles from our March 2018 issue, pick up a print copy at a local retailer (find a list of locations here) or read our digital version.
