Hyundai Canada donated $5,000 to Hollyburn Hockey Heroes in North Vancouver
Hyundai Canada announced a donation of $5,000 to the Hollyburn Hockey Heroes program, which helps youth aged 14 to 18 participate in the joys of hockey and sport, many of whom may have otherwise been unable to play due to financial or social barriers, including mental health issues and homelessness.
Following a donation made pre-pandemic in 2020, this most recent donation from Hyundai Canada was made at the final tour stop of Rogers Hometown Hockey, which took place this weekend at the Shipyards in North Vancouver. The cheque was presented to a surprised Steve Kirkby, the manager of Youth Services at the Hollyburn Family Services Society, who noted that generous donations like these help pay for the ice time and create more opportunity for the community youth most in need.
“Mental health issues spiked during the pandemic and we’ve been described by some youth as a life raft during stormy waters after the pandemic hit,” said Steve Kirkby, Manager of Youth Services at the Hollyburn Family Services Society. “This generous donation and others mean services such as the Hollyburn Hockey Heroes program can help even more kids, who are so desperately in need of community services and support following the pandemic.”
This donation is part of an ongoing relationship between Hyundai Canada and the Hollyburn Family Services Society, who through the Hollyburn Hockey Heroes program help North Vancouver youth participate in the game of hockey. Although hockey is central to the program, it also aims to improve their school attendance, improve grades, achieve a healthier lifestyle, keep them off the streets and build and facilitate positive relationships with peer mentors and other adults.
“We have long stood for driving youth and hockey forward in Canada to increase access and opportunity for underrepresented groups,” said Christine Smith, director of marketing at Hyundai Canada. “Our mission is to spread the joy of hockey to as many youth as possible, as we believe equal access makes the sport better, stronger, more vibrant and impactful in their daily lives. As an organization that endeavors to make hockey in North Vancouver more diverse and accessible, we’re proud to support Hollyburn Hockey Heroes as drivers of hockey, accelerating inclusion of the sport at all levels.”