Ken Williams and the Puslinch Optimist Club want to make this February’s Family Day a classic.
Williams and Paul Hohenadel were at Puslinch council on Dec. 19 promoting the Winter Classic event in February. Williams said the club has been planning the event to celebrate what he believed to be an under-celebrated holiday, Family Day.
This year Family Day is Feb. 18.
“What we are planning is a two-fold operation,” said Williams.
He explained the first two days of the weekend would be a fundraiser to support families caught up in the disaster of Hurricane Sandy which hit New York and New Jersey, where people who lost all of their personal possessions.
“We’ve decided as a club, we need to get our community together along with other communities in our region to join us in our efforts,” Williams said. He added the first intent is to raise funds to send to New York and New Jersey.
The weekend would include several fundraising activities, such as a four-on-four hockey tournament in the rink, a celebrity hockey game, a Canadian Trivial Pursuit contest, and on Sunday a cocktail party in the community centre, including silent and live auctions.
But, Williams stressed, the intent in not just to be a fundraiser, but to offer something special for the residents as well. He said that on Feb. 18 the club has set up a number of activities.
“We want to put some snow on the ball diamond to allow for snow sculpture competitions.”
Plans are also in the works for horse-drawn sleigh rides, open skating at the rink, and other inside activities.
Williams said the impact will be to help other communities while providing an opportunity for families to spend time together. He said the club would like to make use of most of the recreation facility in Aberfoyle.
As for the snow, “we’ll find it. If it is cold enough we’ll truck it in to make piles.” He added the other intent is to get as many local groups as possible involved in the event.
“We’ll be helping families and kids in New York and we’ll be helping families and kids here,” Williams said.
He told councillors the final aspect of the request was asking them to waive fees for the event, adding, “The more generous council can be [towards the event], the better we can send a larger cheque to New York.”
Council had no issue with the request.
Councillor Jerry Schmidt was impressed with what was being proposed and commended the club for its proposal.
“I sincerely hope other groups will take up the challenge,” said Schmidt. “In light of your noble cause, your intentions, and the Optimist Club track record, my recommendation is that council not only support this effort, but participate by waiving all rental charges related to this event.”
He added, “I would not want to profit on a compassionate fundraiser of this nature.”
Councillor Ken Roth agreed.
“Being an Optimist Club member I may be a little biased, but the club has done an awful lot for the community,” said Roth.
He pointed out it was the club which raised funds for the recreation centre as well. Roth suggested if enough clubs took part, “this could make a significant difference to the people in New York.”
Councillor Wayne Stokley added, “As volunteers, you’ve done some amazing things for the township. I’d like to see that continue.” He endorsed the idea of waiving costs.
“It may become a Winter Classic which is repeated year after year. I would sure hope so,” said Stokley.
Councillor Susan Fielding echoed those feelings.
“I’d like to see the township as a full partner,” she said, adding, “We don’t want to detract from this by taking money for your event.”
Mayor Dennis Lever supported council’s comments. He said if it wasn’t for the drive of the Optimists, the recreation centre wouldn’t exist.
Referring to recent weather, Lever said his only concern was the word “snow” kept cropping up and he was unsure how far club members might need to travel to find some.
“We might have to refrigerate the ball diamond to keep the snow there,” Lever quipped.
Councillor subsequently passed a resolution to endorse waiving fees for the event.
“We’re all optimistically thinking of snow,” Stokley added.
