CHESTERMERE – The Chestermere Minor Hockey Association received a generous monetary donation from the local Lions Club this past week.
Dean Mathison of the Lions Club presented CMHA president Shane Hainstock with a cheque for $1,000 on Monday, which Hainstock said will go towards helping kids get access to hockey programs.
“It feels great to receive it, it’s definitely appreciated, because this money goes towards families who might not be able to afford to pay for hockey,” he said. “This is the third time I’ve accepted a donation from the Lions club, and that is what we use it for every time.”
Hainstock said that it helps the organization out a lot, and allows them to provide good opportunities for local kids.
“In the past three years it has helped us put about 10 kids back on the ice that may not have been able to play because of financial situations,” he said.
Mathison said that the club likes to support local organizations, because their goal is to give back whenever they can, especially to kids.
“We love to give back to local groups, it’s what we’re all about,” Mathison said. “This is a good program, so we’re happy to do it.
“Whatever we can do to help, we will. If we’ve got the money we like to share it.”
The Lions Club has made a commitment to give the CMHA $1,000 every year for five years.
The Chestermere Lions Club currently has 26 members, and they are hoping to see more people join in the future. They meet every second Wednesday at the Mountain View Funeral Home, just west of Chestermere.
They do a pumpkin patch event every year before Halloween, host beer gardens at multiple local events throughout the year, and volunteer wherever they can. They will be seen serving up pancakes at the country fair this weekend.
For more info about the Lions Club, go to e-clubhouse.org/sites/chestermere, or to find out more about Chestermere Minor Hockey, go to chestermereminorhockey.com.
