The Nepean Raiders took some time away from the rink this past Sat. to help collect and recycle some electronic waste from the community, all in the name of charity.
From the parking lot of Ross’ Independent Grocer, shifts of players transferred electronic devices like TVs, laptops, computers and speakers from the trunks of cars into a large construction bin. After a hard day’s work, the boys had filled the bin to the brim.
Proceeds from the event will be going towards the Kemptville-based Beth Donovan Hospice. Used clothes were also collected in support of cerebral palsy.
“We wanted to do a fundraiser for the hospice to raise awareness but we also wanted an opportunity for the Raiders to give back to the community and teach them to be responsible for the environment,” said Debbie Watt, the hospice’s executive director.
While Watt said the entire team performed admirably, she praised defencemen Scott Mueller and Corey Tam for driving to Kanata to pick up a computer and fax machine from an elderly couple. Forwards Graham Denomme and Kari Belec were singled out as the most promising future salesmen of the bunch.
Tam described the event as being part of his team’s job description.
“It’s just a duty for us to give back to the community, you know. They come here on game days and look up to us,” Tam said.
“So it’s important to set a good reputation for the Raiders and more importantly set good example for the kids,” he said.
While last year’s event raised close to $700 towards the hospice, Watt said she’s still awaiting word on the 2017 total. The amount will be converted from the tonnage of waste collected on the day.
Watt describes the hospice as a non-profit that provides care “to anybody living with or dying from a life-limiting disease or illness, be it cancer, heart disease, lung disease, ALS, MS.”
“If we can help them to keep on living and be safe right up until end-of-life that’s what we want to do,” she said.
The hospice is currently pursuing funding for residential beds for potential patients that cannot remain at home for end-of-life care.
For more information, please visit https://www.bethdonovanhospice.ca.
