Police host charity four-on-four tourney
Posted Jul 29, 2010 By Michael J Brethour
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EMC Sports - Belleville Police are teaming up with a King to help raise money for the Quinte Children's Foundation in early August.
Michael J Brethour, Belleville EMC
Ben Orr-McCausland, Ben Smith and Will Smith sharpened their ball hockey skills at the Children's Safety Village last Thursday morning in preparation for the Belleville Police Four-on-Four hockey tournament at the beginning of August.
The inaugural charity fund raiser four-on-four ball hockey tournament slated for August 5 at West Zwicks Park will feature teams of youngsters going head-to-head in a fun competition aimed at raising funds for the QCF.
Los Angeles Kings forward Brad Richardson will be on hand for the day of the event, to provide advice on stick handling and allow the youngsters to have a meet and greet and get an autograph.
Richardson will be accompanied by his brother, professional bass angler Curtis Richardson, who will be giving youngsters pointers on the fine art of casting in a competition style event.
Belleville police constable Miranda Orr, one of the key organizers behind the event, said the cost of participation for teams of four is $50. She added that for $5 the youngsters can purchase a ticket that could get them an exclusive signed NHL jersey from Richardson.
Registration forms can be found on the Quinte Children's Foundation, the Belleville police web site or at the police station. The tournament will field teams from four age categories: six to seven, eight to 10, 11 to 12 and 13 to 15. Each team will get a minimum of four games during the 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. competition.
Orr explained that the Belleville Police Running Team, of which she is a member, has done fund raising for the QFC through the County Marathon earlier in the year and the group wanted to do more for the organization. "They're such a great organization for helping kids," she said. "They help children get involved in different activities like hockey, basketball and what not."
She added that on the course of patrol, police officers see a lot of situations where the children could use a little help in a positive fashion, "Participating in these sports camps raises self-esteem and gets them out of a potentially negative environment for a while," she said.
Orr said the money raised will go toward the foundation's Playing for Keeps program, that is geared toward giving at risk youth an opportunity to participate in some of the activities that their more fortunate peers can. The program provides up to $200 toward a sports camp registration fee.
Orr added that all children are welcome to come down to the park and check out the day's events regardless if they are playing or not. "It'll be a fun day for all the kids."
Belleville police are also partnering with the foundation on a new program called Build a Player, aimed at convincing local residents to donate equipment to outfit area youth who can't afford hockey gear.
"We have a ton of gear, but more donations are always welcome," she said. "Our one room downstairs is almost halfway full, anyone with extra gear in good quality can drop it off at the station and we will ensure that it gets put to good use by area youth."
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