A few years ago, on a warm weekend day in August, my wife and I headed to Brigus to meet some friends at that community’s annual Blueberry Festival. We took the “long” route through Conception Bay South, Holyrood and Avondale. After getting underway, it was decided we might need a little more ready cash for the day, so we pulled into our bank’s branch in C.B.S., where I could use the automated teller.
On entering the alcove leading to the ABM, I encountered a boy, who I guessed was about 11 or 12.
He asked it I would like to have a kitten. His family’s cat had recently given birth to a litter and it had been explained to him that if homes weren’t found for the kittens, they would be taken to humane services.
So he had come up with a clever plan. Figuring on increased traffic that would come with people like us going to Brigus, he had set up his little adoption agency outside the ABM, politely asking those who came along if they might want a fuzzy little feline addition the family.
I replied we already had two older cats and I wasn’t sure how they would feel about some cute, younger competition for our attention, but said I would tell his story and pass on his info to others who might be interested.
We spent a good part of the remaining drive that morning talking about a little boy with what was obviously a big heart and how it made us feel better about life in general, and young people in particular.
That feeling was reinforced that evening, when we took the same way back, and on passing the bank, looked through the window to the alcove. The boy was still there, continuing what had turned into full-day search for homes for kittens.
It is a story I often tell whenever someone relates a gripe or grievance about “kids these day,” part of my counter-argument that they need not worry, that for the much greater part, the kids are alright.
That’s a rather long lead-in to a story about a hockey team, but the past few weeks, I’ve been thinking quite a bit about that young man on that sunny August day in C.B.S., reminded of him when I hear about a group of youngsters who are about the same age as he was.
They’re the Northeast peewee C Eagles and there’s good chance you’ve heard about them and their quest to win the Good Deeds Cup, the Chevrolet-sponsored national competition where peewee hockey teams are recognized for their work or works within their community, with the eventual winner earning $100,000 for the charity of their choice.
In the Eagles’ case, that’s the Rainbow Riders Therapeutic Riding Association in St. John’s, which helps children with physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities through horseback riding and assisted-learning activities involving horses.
It began with the Eagles’ efforts to raise money to provide free horseback rides and grew to where they had realized more than $20,000, enough not only for a week’s worth of rides but also for the purchase of a side-by-side utility vehicle for use at the association’s stables … and for a few treats for horses as well.
As a result, they became one of 10 cross-Canada finalists and have since been soliciting votes with an aim to be among the final three. The overall national winner will be decided by a special panel.
It’s a great story, in part because it began with the Eagles supporting a teammate’s family; Northeast netminder Sam Chaulk is the younger brother of Nathan Chaulk, who has been a Rainbow Riders client for two decades.
And it’s a great story because it’s about young people helping young people and almost assuredly learning something — the importance of inclusion, for example — while doing so.
There’s a lot of giving and gaining with all of this.
You can give simply by watching a short online video about the Eagles’ endeavours. One view equals one vote.
Perhaps you’ve already seen the video, but a reminder that views on different devices represent multiple votes. For example, if you watch the offering on your laptop and your phone, that represents two votes.
There are a couple of days left in the voting process; it wraps up midnight Sunday. Between now and then, if you haven’t done so, you should literally take a minute and check out the video here.
Because you’ll gain by giving 60 seconds of your attention. What will doubtlessly come your way is an appreciation of what young people are capable of achieving and the realization “kids these days” are worth watching.
Members of the Eagles include Ben Hiscock, Alec Moores, Jaiden Noseworthy, Tristan Bradbury, Drew Hudson, Kyle Rowe, Ryder Bradbury, Matthew Smith, Daniel Ozon, Ben Noseworthy, Reid Parsons, Cole Moran, Jack Steele, Joshua Cadigan, Michael Chambers, Sam Chaulk and Kobe Nippard.
[email protected]
Twitter: @telybrendan