Small Team Effort Snowballs into Community-Wide Campaign

By Dan Guetre

While it has not always been a smooth journey, one Lorette resident can now take some satisfaction that an event created out of necessity two decades ago is now reaping the intended results.

The year was 2002 and Chris Maxemuck, owner of C&S Garden Centre, along with a group of friends had heard that the Lorette Arena was scheduled to be closed due to mould related issues. One of the friends came up with a novel idea, why not a fundraising hockey game?

“After hockey one night a local resident put the idea of a fund raising hockey game forward,” said Maxemuck who was one of many who be- came concerned that the youth may miss out on a traditional Canadian past-time if the arena shut down.

The group, including Maxemuck, came together and built an idea that could raise some funds and create a buzz, and hopefully get the topic of recreation higher up on the priority list of their municipal council.

“We worked as a team to help build a community ‘OneGoalAtATime’,” added Maxemuck.

One of the first events was the 36Hour Hockey fundraiser which raised thousands of dollars, placed them in a record book and was picked up by all local media and many provincial, national and international media outlets.

“The community has been very supportive of 36-Hour Hockey for well over 20 years,” reflected Maxemuck who hosted a puck sale fundraiser and a 36-Hour Hockey reunion. “We appreciate all the positive support from local residents, businesses, volunteers and the hockey community.”

Maxemuck has taken over the role as spokesperson for the group but is quick to give credit to everyone who had their hands in the campaign.

Keeping the spotlight on the need for a new facility was spreading and the municipality designated dollars to a recreational reserve fund and council became more vocal about the need.

Soon, this talk became contagious as other groups also added to the pot and exposure hosting their own successful fundraising efforts.

Twenty years later, taking credit for a new facility can truly be shared throughout the community and surrounding area. Maxemuck, and the original group that stepped forward, should be proud of what they accomplished and realize that “it takes a community,” and their community stepped up after the initial puck dropped in the faceoff circle two decades ago.

Not to sit back and relax though, Maxemuck wants the community to all come out and take in what may become an annual event.

“36-Hour Hockey would like to invite everyone to our Friends & Family - 21st Anniversary Reunion Game March 18 at Lorette Arena from 5 to 10 pm,” he added.

“The community has been very supportive of 36-Hour Hockey for well over 20 years,” reflected Chris Maxemuck.