Journal staff
Dozens of local teams are set to take the ice for a 24-hour hockey game at the Progressive Auto Sales Arena next month — all in the name of charity.
“It’s our goal to see 'the hive' filled with hockey fans and families on Friday, September 8,” said Rich Bouchard, executive director of the Hashtag Charitable Foundation, which is hosting the first-of-its-kind event. “The 24-Hour Charity Hockey Game is about community, and getting together for a fun and free night at the start of the hockey season was always our goal.
“We look forward to seeing the seats filled and enjoying some great local hockey.”
The fundraiser will see 48 teams facing off beginning Friday, Sept. 8 at 8 a.m. Teams of all ages have been invited to register for one-hour of ice-time, and will be matched based on age and skill level. Each team is asked to raise $1,000 for a selected charity, while completing ‘good deeds’ in the community.
“Then on Friday night, the Sting will play in an inter-squad game to show off the 2023/2024 team,” a news release noted. “We also look forward to seeing the Sarnia Legionnaires, Petrolia Flyers and Mooretown Flags also take to the ice for community members to watch and get excited about the upcoming hockey season.”
Gates will open at 5 p.m. for the Friday night action, which will showcase the Sarnia Legionnaires at 6 p.m. followed by the Sting at 8 p.m., and the Mooretown Flags vs. The Petrolia Flyers at 9 p.m.
Tickets are free and available at a number of locations throughout Sarnia-Lambton: Bad Dog Sarnia, Treat Yourself Wellness Centre, Great Lakes Refill Co, Clearwater Dental Centre, The Inn of the Good Shepherd, The Bagel Factory, Johnny G's Premium Pizza and Black Gold in Petrolia, and Co-Operators Corunna.
The Hashtag Charitable Foundation (#charitable) is a citizen-led charity that “that empowers not-for-profits to focus on their mission instead of their funding,” the group states.
For more information, visit 24hourhockey.ca.