OTTAWA, ONTARIO – October 4, 2021 – CARHA Hockey is pleased to announce the winning submission in The Next Stride’s: HockeyVacciNation campaign is Harold and Karen Bailey from Madoc, Ontario. The grand prize winner receives a $10,000 donation on their behalf towards a local business, charity, sport association, community /municipality, etc., of their choice.

Nine finalists competed for the top prize.  Each month between June and August, ‘Three Stars presented by Lawrie Insurance Group’ were randomly drawn from the entries. During the month of their selection, the finalists received a $500 donation in their name towards a cause of their choice.

The HockeyVacciNation campaign was created as a platform for positivity and celebration of individual and community contributions as we overcome the challenges of COVID-19 together as one team. The campaign is part of CARHA Hockey’s newly launched community outreach initiative, The Next Stride. It is meant to recognize, unite, and engage our fellow Canadians as we get one stride closer to returning to the sports and activities we love.

Harold and Karen Bailey were nominated by Brad Watson, the Arena Manager at Madoc Arena, for their work with the Bruce Lee House League. The Bruce Lee House League has been around for 31 years and provides recreational hockey for children ages three to 15 at an affordable cost. The League was renamed in honour of a popular coach killed in an industrial accident in 1993. Thousands of children from the surrounding area have participated over the years and give back to the organization through volunteering.

Faced with the challenges of COVID-19, the Baileys adhered to safety protocols and adapted programming for 93 children to continue to play. It was the first year where at least a third of participants could not afford the $65 registration fee and they were able to cover it. The Bruce Lee House League is supported through community sponsors and fundraising, and the community provided tremendous support so operations could continue. As their way of giving back, the Baileys plan to share the donation with several youth initiatives in Madoc including Centre Hastings Grizzlies Minor Hockey Association, The Municipality of Centre Hastings for the new swimming pool committee, and developing youth activities.

“First, thank you to CARHA Hockey and their whole organization for initiating this wonderful program,” said Harold and Karen. “Not only is the winning appreciated, but a good event to pull common people together to refresh in this pandemic and raise many spirits. People have been approaching us for a month with great wishes and good lucks. Votes from British Columbia, Saskatchewan, USA, Ontario, East Coast that we know of. We’d like to finish with a saying we use around here, ‘Madoc, the best place to live in the whole darn world.’”

Canadians from coast to coast participated by sharing a photo, story of positivity or nominating a community leader. The campaign was open to all Canadians, with no sport or hockey connection required. During September, the nine finalists were in contention through an online vote that took place from September 6 to 24.

The nine finalists:

Cheryl Cooper, Ontario

Harold and Karen Bailey, Ontario

Joanne McVeigh, Ontario

Joanne Weedmark, Nunavut

Rocanville Tiger Sharks Swim Team, Saskatchewan

Scott MacKinnon, Ontario

Tumbler Ridge Public Library, British Columbia

TomCats Women’s Hockey, Newfoundland

Toronto Leaside Wildcats, Ontario

Interviews with the stars of each month can be found here long with their unique and inspiring stories.

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About CARHA Hockey

CARHA Hockey is a national, not-for-profit hockey organization that is dedicated to providing programs, resources and benefits to the adult recreational and old-timers hockey market in Canada. Learn more about our programs and services at www.carhahockey.ca.

About Lawrie Insurance Group
Lawrie Insurance Group Inc. is a leading privately-owned, independent Canadian insurance brokerage, specializing in commercial and personal insurance, employee benefits, life and living benefits and group retirement solutions. With a staff of over 100 dedicated professionals, it has become one of the largest and most trusted independent insurance organizations in Canada. Lawrie Insurance Group is a member of the Canadian Broker Network (CBN), Intersure and Globex International with affiliated offices across Canada, United States, and the world. In 2021, Lawrie Insurance Group was recognized as a Great Place to Work® by the Great Place to Work Institute® Canada. Visit us online at www.lawriegroup.com.