By Mark Squibb

Hockey fans in the Goulds raised $25,577 at this year’s 10th annual St. Kevin’s High Mavericks Hockey Alumni Charity Classic.

“Every year you set a goal and you wonder if your goal is achievable,” said organizer Jason Snelgrove. “I try to be realistic with it. We raised a little over $15,000 last year. I’ve said multiple times, ‘That’s as good as it’s going to get,’ and we ought to set an expectation of around $10,000, and anything above $10,000 would be a really good thing.”

Snelgrove said when he was handed the donation total, he about fell over on the ice.

“I’m kind of shocked,” said Snelgrove. “But at the end of the day it shows the amount of support the event has been getting… Any amount we raise is a good amount. But $25,000, I would never have dreamed of the possibility, but here we are.”

In addition to the main event on March 6, a separate female event was held, which helped increase the donation amount. The winner of the 50/50 draw also donated their winnings, which bolstered the donation total.

The female game, held March 3, saw the high school girls beat the alumni players 4-1, while the male alumni players bested the high school boys 6-3.

Snelgrove said seeing kids watch their moms play hockey for maybe the first time was a highlight, not just of this year’s event, but of the last decade of hosting the event.

Donations raised this year were split among the Curtis Hudson Memorial Fund, Vera Perlin Society, and a local family facing medical challenges.

All told, over $90,000 has been raised for local charities over the last decade.

“Next year we’ll break that $100,000 milestone,” said Snelgrove. “The hockey game is cool. The money raised is cool, but the smiles, the laughter, the connections, the community, the family, all of that is what’s really important.”

Mavericks fans kick in $25K for good causes