Athletics, IceDogs give back to community
St. Catharines has always held a special place in Charlie Robertson’s heart.
The Niagara IceDogs goaltender was born in London but attended Ridley College for a year and also has several family members living in St. Catharines, including a pair of brothers and his grandparents, Beth and Tom Rankin of Rankin Construction.
So when Robertson had the opportunity to volunteer a few hours New Year’s Day to help those in need, he jumped at the chance.
Robertson and several of his IceDogs teammates, assistant coach Dan Paille and his six-year-old son, Emmanuel, as well as a group of St. Catharines WMKL Athletics, put their respective sports on the back burner Wednesday to volunteer at Joe Feta’s in St. Catharines helping in the kitchen with the restaurant’s annual holiday meal.
Kountouris, who owns the business with his sister, Cathy Kountouris-McCormack, opened his kitchen to prepare nearly 1,500 meals to be distributed to the unhoused in Niagara. Wednesday marked the meal’s fifth year and the third time it has been held on New Year’s Day.
“I think it’s really important, obviously,” Robertson said. “All the fans and all the people that come to support our games, being able to give back to them is really important to us. It’s a big part of our team. Being able to do it for myself is a really small part. This community is so great and this is the littlest thing we could possibly do.”
Robertson has seen first-hand how important it can be to a community to give back.
“Yeah, obviously through Rankin Cancer Run,” he said. “Giving back to people and helping people as much as possible, it’s really important to us to do what we can that can make the biggest difference.”
Tye Steenhuis of the A’s said volunteering really hit home.
“Growing up in St. Catharines, it’s been my home for about 20 years now, so it feels great to give back to the people in need, especially at this time, the start of a new year. It’s great to start off on the right foot,” he said. “It’s great to feel like you’re doing something great to help other people in need.”
Steenhuis said he has noticed more and more people in need recently.
“For sure. Driving around places, it always saddens you when you see it and for the opportunity to be able to give back, it feels awesome to be able to give a meal to someone who can’t get one.”
Kountouris was thrilled to see the players so eager to give their time.
“We’re kind of involved with both clubs and my underlying concept is always that I want the next generation to see something, to feel the community spirit,” he said. “So for me, this is a good way because of my relationship with the IceDogs and the A’s, and knowing a number of the players, I thought it would be fitting that we get these young kids to come in and help out those that are in need.”
Kountouris said meals were delivered all over the region to various charitable organizations, who then distributed the food. As well, retired hockey coach Rob Hubbert takes to the streets and gives out meals.
“We quietly do things throughout the year but this is obviously our big one,” Kountouris said. “For us, it’s a great thing. The number of volunteers has been overwhelming and the number of supporters, a lot of guys have contributed.”
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