Local rec hockey team raises over $20,000 for Southeast Helping Hands

The IceHogs and Alpha Hockey held a charity fundraiser last weekend where all the proceeds went to Southeast Helping Hands (SEHH). 

Ken Dyck from SEHH says the evening was a blast. 

“These guys were amazing, the social was just unreal. We didn't have to do anything, just show up. All proceeds, 100 percent of it all came to us.” 

The final total raised was $21,430.  

Dyck says it was amazing to see a local rec hockey team come together for SEHH. 

“Ray told me that this was the first time they'd gone outside doing a sports fundraiser. The whole bunch decided that it was for us this time, and we're just grateful for all the proceeds that we got.” 

Helping Hands didn’t have to worry about covering costs for the band, the DJ, or silent auction prizes. 

He says the business community stepped up to make sure every single dollar raised went to SEHH. 

“It's just unreal. Our community is amazing. They always come together no matter who does something for us, small or big, they're always behind us,” he says. “We're very thankful for having a good community behind our back. It means a lot.” 

The money raised will be put into their coffers and some will go toward operations.

"Also, if we're needing food in certain areas, we put it there. We sort of make it work everywhere, and hopefully it continues,” he says. “But it will help us a great deal. It's not money that we were expecting, so it's a bonus.” 

Dyck says that the number of people coming to the food bank is growing quickly. 

"Our numbers are jumping. We're at 380 families now every two weeks, and I've got a feeling it's going to keep jumping and that's what we're afraid of.” 

Week by week, they’re never sure how many families are going to be in need. 

“I mean, this last Wednesday we jumped up about 40-50 families in one shot, so we had to make up a lot of extra bags very quickly. So far we have, but it doesn't take long and we can start dwindling if all the donations don't come in.” 

He says that lots of these families are living paycheck to paycheck. 

“In a lot of cases, if (their) furnace breaks or car breaks, they have to come see us, so that's why we're called a helping hands,” he says. “We might only see them for a month or two, but that's what we're there for. Some are longer, but majority are short-term.” 

If you want to help out at the food bank or receive help from the food bank, call them at 204 326 2599. 

If you want to donate food to Southeast Helping Hands, you can drop off food at Sobeys, Superstore, Giant Tiger, or at SEHH itself. 

With files from Dave Anthony