Hockey Heritage fundraiser focuses on family fun

By Nadine Armstrong

The Hants Journal/NovaNewsNow.com

Cocoa Pesto Bistro owner Scott Geddes has teamed up with the Hockey Heritage Society (HHS) to host a fundraiser that will be sure to spice up this year’s Winter Carnival. The first ever “Hockey Heritage Family Bash” will include an all-ages outdoor skating party with cocoa and chili- al la Geddes to warm things up.

The society had originally planned to host the event at the Exhibition Arena, but once they’d heard the town was constructing an outdoor rink for Winter Carnival it seemed like a perfect fit. “Taking the event outside really worked for us and the timing couldn’t have been better,” society president Paula Lunn said.

Although the bash is a fundraiser for the HHS, it still won’t cost families a penny. Everything, including the hot Bistro fare is free of charge. Although free-will donations will be gladly accepted during the event, Geddes said the intention is to get families together and promote Windsor as a Hockey Heritage community.

“This is more about getting people excited about our hockey heritage,” he said. “We are the Birth Place of Hockey after all and what better way to celebrate than an outdoor skate? If people want Windsor to remain a hockey heritage town than that involves the whole community.”

This is why the outdoor venue works so well, Geddes said. “We want this to be completely accessible to everyone. Fundraisers are great, but let’s keep it grass roots and something the entire family can enjoy.”

Lunn said the plan to host the bash during this year’s Winter Carnival was down to cooperation from the Town. “It all came together really well,” she said. “The organizers for Winter Carnival liked the idea and really worked to incorporated it in their events.”

Lunn said organizational support from Richard Cole, president of the Hants West Chamber of Commerce and Creelman MacArthur help pull it all together. “They are both heavily supportive of the Society and the Museum.”

The Society hopes to make the bash an annual event and raise as few funds toward the Hockey Heritage Museum. “With this being the fist year we’re really more interested in giving back to the community and raising awareness for the museum.”