Mark Snider remembers his late friend Randy Fleming had a rich history in Sports, particularly hockey.
Snider recalled the years the two played hockey and coached together and wanted a way to commemorate his friend, who passed away last year.
He found that with a donation to the David and Elma Jack Youth Recreation Fund.
“I thought of a lot of ways to donate and thought Randy would have thought a lot about how to help kids,” Snider said of the $1,250 donation to the charity, which helps pay recreational registration for children whose parents don’t have the financial means to pay for after-school activities.
“I wanted to make sure that something was donated to help a boy or girl be able to play hockey,” said Snider, who operates a skate sharpening business out of the Fergus Sportsplex.
Snider and his wife Sharon decided the charity would receive the donation – something Douglas Jack, who administers it along with his brother Jack and sisters Heather Halls and Kathy Fitzpatrick, appreciates.
“I look forward to someday realizing there’s some girl or boy coming in and getting their skates sharpened because of Randy and the donation,” Snider said.
Jack said the charity was established in 2010 in association with the Centre Wellington Community Foundation.
“The objectives of the fund are to assist financially challenged families in Centre Wellington to pay for registration for local youth amateur Sports and recreation activities,” said Jack, a lifelong Fergus resident.
“To date, the fund has realized approximately $52,000 in donations and pledges and has an ultimate goal of creating an endowment of $100,000.
Snider’s donation was among three received by Jack at the Sportsplex on Feb. 13. Mark and Hilary Stonehouse of Grand River Physiotherapy also made a $2,500 donation, while Karalee and A.J. Broderick of Broderick’s Apparel made a $1,250 donation on behalf of their clothing business.
Jack said he realized how vital community support is when watching recent Olympic medal winners thanking their families, sponsors and communities for assisting them on their way to the Sochi games.
Grant donations to local families are administered through the foundation.
Donations and applications to the youth recreation fund can be made by email at info@cwcfoundation.ca.
