Background
Through Hockey for Haiti, the National Hockey League Players’ Association (NHLPA) and NHL veteran Georges Laraques have partnered with World Vision Canada in an effort to assist the people of Haiti in the wake of the devastating earthquake on January 12, 2010. Hockey for Haiti is working to raise funds to help rebuild the Grace Children’s Hospital in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, which was badly damaged in the earthquake. To launch Hockey for Haiti, the NHLPA Goals & Dreams’ made an initial $100,000 donation.
On June 8th, 2010, NHLPA representatives Georges Laraque, Dan Hamhuis, Devin Smith (Chairman, NHLPA Goals & Dreams) & Jonathan Weatherdon (NHLPA Director, Communications) travelled to Haiti with World Vision Canada to lend first-hand assistance to the effort on the ground and announce an update on the funds raised through Hockey for Haiti.
To encourage fan participation, in May the NHLPA launched an online auction of 140 Olympic hockey jerseys worn by NHLPA members from 12 countries in the 2010 Olympics, including jerseys from Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, Jonathan Toews and Nick Lidstrom. The auction is open until June 23, 2010, with proceeds supporting the Hockey for Haiti program.
Fans can also make a donation directly to “Hockey for Haiti” through www.worldvision.ca/hockey.
An Eye-Opening Experience
Laraque & Hamhuis amazed at the spirit of the Haitian people; honoured to be part of Hockey For Hait program.
The last thing Georges Laraque and Dan Hamhuis ever thought they’d see when they arrived in Haiti was big smiles and an unwavering feeling of hope. But that’s exactly what they encountered.
On Tuesday, Laraque, Hamhuis, Devin Smith (Chairman, NHLPA Goals & Dreams) & Jonathan Weatherdon (NHLPA Director, Communications) traveled to Haiti with World Vision Canada to lend first-hand assistance to the effort on the ground and announce an update on the funds raised through Hockey for Haiti, a joint initiative of Haitian-Canadian Laraque, the NHLPA and World Vision Canada.
The trip to Haiti, in the players’ own words, has been an eye-opening experience.
“Your expectation, at least from what you see on television, is that you would witness people crying in the streets,” said Hamhuis. “And while you see great devastation almost everywhere you look, you also get a genuine sense that the people of Haiti are truly resilient and hold out hope for the future. It’s very humbling.”
Laraque agrees.
“Everywhere we went, we were greeted with smiles,” said Laraque. “They sing, they dance and they want to talk to you. The people of Haiti are proud and even though they have been through hell, they still manage to find a way to pull through. I think for any of us, we can look at how they have responded to tragedy and be very impressed at their outlook.”
Hockey for Haiti began with an initial donation of $100,000 from the NHLPA’s Goals & Dreams Fund. The NHL also donated $100,000 to the cause. Private donations, plus all proceeds from the NHLPA’s current auction of Olympic hockey jerseys and recent online auction of unique hockey memorabilia, have made the initiative a great success.
The NHLPA and World Vision Canada announced on Wednesday that more than $1 million has been raised through “Hockey for Haiti” to help rebuild Grace’s Children’s Hospital, a building that was severely damaged in the January 12 earthquake.
“The situation in Haiti remains urgent, especially for children suffering with chronic health issues,” said Dave Toycen, President & CEO, World Vision Canada. “Hockey for Haiti will not only help us meet the medical needs of these children, it’s keeping Haiti top of mind with Canadians.”
To encourage fan participation in Hockey for Haiti, the NHLPA launched the aforementioned online auction in May. One hundred and forty Olympic hockey jerseys worn by NHLPA members from 12 countries in the 2010 Olympics, including jerseys from Sidney Crosby, Alex Ovechkin, Jonathan Toews and Nick Lidstrom were up for bid. The auction is open until June 23, 2010, with proceeds supporting the Hockey for Haiti program
“All of us at International Child Care and Grace Children’s Hospital are thankful for the incredible generosity of NHL players and hockey fans,” said Dr. John Yates, International Director of International Child Care. “It renews our strength as we work to bring health and hope to children suffering from diseases like tuberculosis and HIV.”
For Laraque, the efforts of the hockey world, including his fellow players and the NHLPA, is indeed special.
“I’ve said it many times, but hockey players are great people,” offered Laraque. “We can go out on the ice and have the most heated battles, but when it comes to working together, in wanting to make a difference in our own communities, or in the world, hockey players always answer the call.
“I had never met Dan before, but for him to take time out of his off-season to come here, I truly respect, admire and appreciate that,” continued Laraque. “To me, that’s what Hockey for Haiti is all about. The NHLPA stepped up and showed their commitment and so have the players. I’m very honoured.”
Did he ever think Hockey for Haiti would have the impact it has?
“I had a pretty good idea it would,” he admitted. “If you look at everyone who has been involved, you just knew they would be generous and want to help. For me, the whole thing has been inspiring.”