Hyundai Auto Canada Corp recently announced the launch of Hyundai Hockey Helpers. The program is a new charitable initiative designed to reinvest in communities across the country and improve the lives of deserving youth by enabling them to play hockey.
In partnership with KidSport Canada, a not-for-profit organization that provides financial assistance to kids ages 18 and under, the program offers grants for registration fees and equipment costs to lower the financial barriers that prevent youth from participating in organized sports. The program aims to provide support to at least 1,000 underprivileged children, giving them a chance to play one of Canada’s favorite sports.
To help raise awareness for the program, Hyundai Hockey Helpers is teaming up with ambassadors who hold a personal connection to the cause. The Subban family, led by Karl Subban, father of Montreal Canadiens star, P.K. Subban, and recent first-round Boston Bruins draft pick, Malcolm Subban, are giving back to the next generation by helping kids get in the game.
“Hyundai Hockey Helpers is an extension of our brand’s commitment to improving the lives of our customers,” declared Steve Kelleher, President and CEO Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. “At Hyundai, we believe every child should have the opportunity to experience the social, academic and developmental benefits of being enrolled in an organized sport like hockey. This program will not only provide under-resourced children with a chance to play hockey, but will help Canadian kids become healthier, more confident and resilient individuals. Having played the game growing up, I can say it had a strong impact on my own personal development and I envision a day when every child with an interest in hockey will have the same opportunity as I did.”
However, the fact remains that many young children in Canada today simply don’t have the opportunity to play in organized sports. Even superstars such as P.K. and Malcolm Subban struggled to play organized hockey growing up due to the high cost of registration and equipment fees. Father Karl worked multiple jobs and spent his nights taking his sons to practice their hockey skills at a public arena in downtown Toronto.
“We leaned on our community to live out our commitment to the game while raising our family, and we are so pleased to have the opportunity to give back and share our story,” said Karl Subban, who is also a middle school Principal in Toronto. “With a decline in at-school activities, there is a bigger need than ever to get more kids participating in organized sports. We’re spreading the message that better kids make better communities.”
The program administration and grants for the first 1,000 recipients of Hyundai Hockey Helpers is the result of contributions by all 205 Hyundai dealers in Canada as well as Hyundai Auto Canada Corp. Furthermore, 100 per cent of every additional dollar donated by the public toward the program goes directly to KidSport to help one more kid get in the game.
Next month also marks Hyundai Hockey Helpers Month in Canada where participating dealers across the country will actively conduct fundraising programs to help more kids get in the game. Additionally, Hyundai Hockey Helpers ambassadors and vehicles will travel to more than 90 hockey arenas around the country to collect donations, reach families, and get them involved at the grassroots level. More information on this extraordinary program is available at HyundaiHockey.ca.
