Haliburton’s Manny Lawson is determined to break down one of the biggest barriers to youth wanting to play hockey – the cost.
For the second year running, she is partnering with the Highland Storm to host a free hockey equipment day Sept. 6 at A.J. LaRue Arena. Running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the event is open to anyone with kids aged three to 17 hoping to play Canada’s favourite pastime this winter.
There will be everything from sticks and skates to helmets, pads and gloves, Lawson said.
“Hockey is an expensive sport. Buying everything new is hundreds of dollars, maybe more, which is a substantial
cost for families. Especially those on a fixed income,” Lawson said. “With rent, groceries, utilities and everything else in life, most don’t have enough left over to afford new equipment every year.”
About 50 families attended last year’s inaugural drive, which was held inside the arena. This time, the equipment day will be hosted outdoors – something Lawson hopes increases visibility and draws more people in.
The Storm is organizing games and activities for kids, with plans for a dunk tank.
Asked why she does this, Lawson said she benefitted from a similar event in Port Perry four years ago, helping to gear her son, Lucas, up for a new season with the Storm.
“We were visiting and saw a pop-up on one of the street corners, so we went over and were told it was free hockey equipment day. Even though we didn’t live in that community, they let us pick out anything we
wanted – we got him a bag and every piece of equipment other than skates. It saved us hundreds.
With the big day just two weeks away, Lawson admits she’s scrambling for some items – particularly for younger ages.
“Last year, I got way too many adult things. A don’t need any more 1970s jock straps or older wooden sticks,” she said. “Anything for smaller kids would be a big help.”
Donated equipment can be dropped off at the Minden Hills fire hall and Emmerson Lumber locations until Sept. 5.
There’s no cost for people looking to kit out their kids, though Lawson is asking for non-perishable food items she can donate to food banks in Minden and Haliburton.
Wanting to make this a Haliburton tradition moving forward, Lawson said she’s looking for somewhere she can store equipment year-round. Now, everything is sitting in her garage until the big day.
“It’d be great to have somewhere more accessible, that way people can get more equipment through the season if their kid grows, or something breaks,” Lawson said.
Anyone looking to donate can contact Lawson at mannyfergie@hotmail.com or 905-410-5964.
