A made-in-Aurora-and-Newmarket hockey fundraiser is marking its second annual charity game this Saturday, Nov. 30.
Aurora resident Patrick Servideo and Newmarket resident Julian Antonini, both 26, grew up playing hockey together, including on the same team at St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic High School.
Now they’re looking to combine their love of the sport and the “giving back culture” inherent within it, according to Servideo, by organizing their Hockey Ends Hunger Food Drive and Charity Hockey Game, with the goal of collecting donations and funds for the Aurora Food Pantry.
The charity game will feature 23 players, many of whom live locally and the pair grew up playing with. The teams will be donning custom “Hockey Ends Hunger” jerseys, in the style of classic Toronto Maple Leafs sweaters.
“We would have been playing at these rinks in high school and all these guys that are playing in the game, they would have grown up in the same rinks. So, it’s kind of cool that we’re kind of keeping it like a local thing and giving back to the community that we grew up in,” said Antonini.
“We were fortunate enough to be able to be in sports and grow up playing hockey and whatnot. So, through hockey, (we are) able to kind of raise some funds and raise some food donations for people in the same community, who are maybe a little bit less fortunate, and finding a way to give back collectively as a community in that way.”
Last year, the pair collected more than $1,000 for the food pantry through their campaign, in addition to a sizable haul of physical food donations. There is no specific goal for this year, but they hope the fundraiser, which is now in its second year, will keep growing annually.
In addition to the game, the pair are organizing an after party, which is to be held at Shoeless Joe’s, where they will be selling raffle tickets to win prizes including a pair of Toronto Maple Leafs tickets, and signed memorabilia.
The game is taking place on Saturday, Nov. 30 from 6 to 8 p.m., with Aurora Mayor Tom Mrakas conducting the ceremonial puck drop at the Stronach Aurora Recreation Complex.
The after party is being held at Shoeless Joe’s, located in the St Andrews Village at 2 Orchard Heights Blvd. in Aurora.
All guests are welcome to join, with the pair taking donations of non-perishable food items or cash to contribute to the food drive.
All donations will be given to the Aurora Food Pantry.
