Laura Stacey's Sticks in for Charity event is set to run for another year, this year supporting KidSport Ontario and Montreal Canadiens Children’s Foundation.
Laura Stacey's Sticks in for Charity event is set to run for another year, this year supporting KidSport Ontario and Montreal Canadiens Children’s Foundation.
LS7 Sticks in for Charity, created by two-time Olympian Laura Stacey, is an annual road hockey tournament held in the Etobicoke neighbourhood where the Stacey Family resides. This event raises funds through sport participation in a unique road hockey tournament format, where individual sticks of all ages and experience are drawn the morning of the event, and participants play alongside a number of Stacey’s teammates, other Professional Athletes and Canadian Olympians and Paralympians, who serve as Captains for each team.
This year’s event takes place on Saturday, July 6, 2024 from 9am-4pm at 39 Kingsgrove Blvd. in Etobicoke (Bloor St. W. and Royal York area) – further details at www.laurastacey7.ca.
LS7’s mission has always been to help kids find their passion in sport by having fun and staying active. This year, LS7 has selected two official charity recipients to help accomplish this - KidSport Ontario and Montreal Canadiens Children’s Foundation. Cost alone keeps 1 in 3 Canadian kids out of organized sport and funds raised will go towards providing grants to help cover sport registration and equipment costs to ensure that no kid is ever left watching from the sidelines.
“I am extremely excited for the 5th annual LS7 Sticks In For Charity Road Hockey Tournament as we strive to hit our goal of $50, 000 raised and an even better day of road hockey on Saturday July 6th! It has always been our mission to get children off of the sidelines and involved in sport and this year is no different as we throw our sticks in, in support of both Kidsport Ontario and La Fondation des Canadiens pour L’enfance.” said Laura Stacey.
Since starting the tournament five years ago, LS7 has supported getting kids active in a variety of ways, originally through physical activity programs in elementary schools, then pivoted to raising money for a PPE donation to Sick Kid’s Hospital through its #stayinsticksin initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year alone, LS7 donated over $28,000 to KidSport Ontario.
“What an incredible event! The LS7 Sticks in for Charity Road Tournament is a perfect example of what KidSport works towards - communities coming together to help kids play their favourite sport. Over the last two years, LS7 raised over $48K which has allowed us to help almost 200
kids who face financial barriers to playing sport. This year's event is going to be even better and we're excited to be part of the action again” said Sara Restani, Executive Director, KidSport Ontario.
This year, with the addition of the La Fondation des Canadiens pour L’enfance, LS7 will also be supporting access to sport for youth in Quebec.
“We are proud to partner with the LS7 Sticks in for Charity Road Hockey Tournament to get more kids to be active and learn the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. We are thankful for Laura Stacey and her team's desire to give back to children in the Montreal area, home of her PWHL Montreal team. The funds raised will allow us to offer girls and boys in Verdun the opportunity to take part in a six-week learn to skate program on one of our BLEU BLANC BOUGE outdoor rinks next winter,” said Genvieve Paquette, VP Community Relations and Foundation General Manager.
“From growing up and learning to play sports in Kleinburg, Ontario to now living and playing professional hockey in Montreal, Quebec for PWHL MTL I have been very fortunate to be surrounded by sport throughout my life! Supporting both of these charities is a way to give back to communities who have helped me chase my dreams and my career through sport” says Laura.
“All it takes is one opportunity to spark a dream. One chance to play in a community road hockey tournament. One chance to watch a PWHL hockey or NWSL soccer game. One chance to cheer on Team Canada! One magical moment that can change your life. And hopefully this can be one of those moments!”
Please join LS7 Sticks in for Charity, the Stacey Family and many teammates, colleagues, and friends to support access to sport for youth by making a donation, bidding on the silent auction, or buying tickets for the raffle on-site on event day. Silent auction bids are live until 4pm on Saturday, July 6, 2024.