Hope Cup hopeful for winter weather
Grab those hockey sticks, lace up them skates and brush up on some hockey skills: the puck drops for the 7th annual Julia’s Hope Cup and Carnival at Chippawa Park in Welland on Feb. 17.
Organizer Paul Turner said the pond- hockey tournament was created in memory of his daughter Julia Turner, who died in 2011 of cancer. It also raised money for The Hope Centre, a place Julia was passionate about as it combats homelessness.
Since the inaugural event, Turner said the tournament has grown to include more activities. Today, he said, it looks more like a winter carnival as it includes food, kids’ games, a silent auction, and plenty of fun activities.
The mini- tournament for kids six to 12 years old is back this year too. He said they wanted to give young kids the opportunity to get involved, too. Similar to the larger tournament, the winners of the kids’ tournament will receive a trophy – a miniaturized Stanley Cup lookalike.
“We really want to let the community know that it’s a fun time for everyone,” Turner said.
For the first time, it’s being held on Family Day weekend. Although some people go away for the weekend, Turner said there are also people who stay in the area and are seeking something to do.
He said this is a great way to beat the “dark days of February.”
Last year’s weather was mild, turning the event into a ball hockey tournament instead, but he said he’s feeling good about this year’s forecast, hoping the colder weather will hold out. Still, 2017’ s event raised $ 20,000 for The Hope Centre and saw about 1,000 people come out.
Pledge sheets and sign up forms are available now at The Hope Centre, M. T. Bellies, Enviro- Niagara Heating and Air Conditioning, FE Coyne Insurance and Notre Dame College School.
The main tournament begins on Feb. 17 at 11: 30 a. m. The cost to play is $ 100 per person or $ 50 for students. Before that, the mini- tournament starts at 10 a. m. Registration costs for that is $ 25. Pledge sheets are available for both and players should start arriving an hour before the games. Players are assigned to teams at random.
Turner said anyone interested in volunteering can get in touch with him at paulturnernd@hotmail.com.
More information about the event is available at juliashopecup.ca.