Despite all his success, National Hockey League star Jamie McGinn hasn’t forgotten his roots.
The Fergus native and Colorado Avalanche forward annually spends his summers on Lake Belwood and next weekend he will host a fundraiser to benefit two local groups that played an integral part in his development as an athlete and a person.
The idea materialized this spring after Sportschirps.com – a website that sells T-shirts adorned with images of athletes, with a portion of proceeds going to the athlete’s charity of choice – approached McGinn with a shirt idea.
He jumped at the opportunity, and he certainly had no trouble choosing the minor hockey and lacrosse associations in Centre Wellington as the beneficiary of sales of his “Ginner 11” shirts.
“That’s where I started,” said McGinn, who played both Sports growing up in Fergus. “It’s a good chance to give back to the community – I’m really excited about that.”
But the 23-year-old did not stop at online shirt sales.
In cooperation with lacrosse and hockey officials, as well as several local businesses, he will be hosting an event on June 9 at Dixon Home Hardware in Fergus to raise even more money for the two associations.
Dubbed “Ginner Gives Back Day,” the event will run from 11am to 1pm and include a barbecue, photo and autograph opportunities, and a chance to purchase Ginner 11 shirts in person.
In fact, $6 from every shirt sold at the June 9 fundraiser will go to the local lacrosse and hockey associations, whereas online orders result in $4 going to the athlete’s charity of choice.
Proceeds from the barbecue – the food will be donated by Dixon’s – will also help the cause, and to raise even more money, McGinn, his family, friends and local businesses have become sponsors for the event ($1 per shirt sold, to a maximum of 150 shirts).
Combined with the funds from Sportschirps.com, that means for each shirt sold, the donation to minor lacrosse and hockey should well exceed the $20 shirt price.
“Our goal is to sell as many shirts as possible,” McGinn told the Advertiser.
That would also please minor lacrosse and hockey officials, who were ecstatic with McGinn’s decision to help out in his home town.
“The News that Jamie wanted to do this for our organization was completely unexpected and a pleasant surprise that was met with great appreciation from our organization,” said Brent Hyndman, promotions director with the Centre Wellington Minor Lacrosse Association.
“We anticipate that there will be a good turnout for the event and will encourage all of our players and their families to drop by to purchase a T-shirt and some lunch.”
Hyndman added his association will likely use funds it receives from the event to purchase more equipment or jerseys.
Minor hockey president Kevin Cassidy, whose organization plans to use the revenue it receives to assist with skills development, is also very excited about the June 9 event.
“It’s a big pat on the back for the entire community that Jamie’s chosen to do something [here],” said Cassidy. “We’re thrilled with the opportunity to participate in this function … We’re really looking forward to it.”
He added the opportunity to meet a professional athlete is very rare, particularly for young kids.
And yet it is McGinn, who last week was returning to the area after a vacation, who seemed most excited about the fundraiser.
“I always wanted to give back to the community, but I just wasn’t sure how to do it … I thought this was perfect,” he said.
“What better way to help than to raise money for minor hockey and lacrosse? That was a big part of my life growing up and I want to make sure other kids have the same opportunity.”
For more information about the event or to become a sponsor call 519-843-4752 and ask for Bob McGinn. To order a Ginner 11 shirt online at any time, visit www.Sportschirps.com.
