A Nova Scotia Community College student is on a mission to give back.
First-year student Cameron Hollohan wants to send less fortunate children to summer camp and is combining his two favourite things - hockey and the YMCA – in order to reach his goal.
“I decided I would try and do something to help kids because I see kids in here all the time and I understand some of the kids might not be able to afford to use the facility,” says Hollohan, who attends the NSCC in Sydney.
“So, I thought I would combine hockey and the YMCA to raise money.”
Melodie MacNeil is the director of communications at the Sydney YMCA. She says Hollohan knows what it’s like for a family to need financial support.
“Cameron received some support from the YMCA when he was younger and now he’s giving back his time and talent to develop this program for the kids. It’s such a great story,” says MacNeil.
As a part of his curriculum at the NSCC, Hollohan is required to spend 30 hours volunteering in the community. He has used that time to plan a YMCA hockey tournament called Stick up for Strong Kids.
The floor hockey tournament will take place April 5 and April 6 and will feature friendly competition in a round-robin tournament.
“That way everyone is guaranteed three games, and if you happen to make it through, then you have a chance to play a bit more,” says Hollohan.
The money raised will go to children who cannot afford to attend the YMCA summer day camp.
“Proceeds will come together and families will apply for support,” says MacNeil. “This summer we will send, hopefully, as many as 40 kids to day camp.”
Hollohan says he is overwhelmed by the generosity he has received so far.
“I didn’t think I would get support from people I never met before,” says Hollohan. “I’m seeing a lot of people contacting me to play or support the tournament that I really didn’t know until I started doing it.”
Hollohan says he hopes the support continues to grow so that he can make the tournament an annual fundraiser.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Kyle Moore
