ST. MARGARETS, P.E.I. — NHL players, coaches and front office representatives have pitched in to help an Island-based charity’s work in Ethiopia.
Former NHL player and coach Gerard (Turk) Gallant, recently retired NHL defenceman Adam McQuaid and Scott Harris, director of amateur scouting operations for the New Jersey Devils, will each host 30-minute virtual/phone conversations with the winner of their individual items on the Helping Hands Online Auction. All proceeds go to the Beacon East Charity.
“For 30 minutes, (the winner) gets to talk hockey with Turk Gallant,” explained Marion Harris, a resident of St. Margarets in northeastern P.E.I. and board member with the charity.
NHL assistant coaches Brad Larsen (Columbus) and Dan Hinote (Nashville) will hold a joint session with the winner of their item. Marion said a minor hockey team could also bid on the item and give their players a chance to talk with the NHL guys.
“Turk is giving of his time just to chit-chat hockey and the same with McQuaid, Scott and (Larsen and Hinote),” she said. “To me it’s just incredible. I am very humbled that these people would support our project.”
Scott Harris is the son of Marion and Jim Harris, both retired Summerside schoolteachers. He grew up in North Tryon.
The charity’s goal is to install new toilets and handwashing stations at Leku Kata schoolhouse, an hour outside the capital of Addis Ababa. It is also working towards a well that would be shared with the surrounding communities.
The auction began on Monday and closes on March 14. It can be found on the Beacon East Charity Facebook page.
There is also a game-used stick from Columbus defenceman Seth Jones and a 2019-20 Carolina Hurricanes jersey autographed by team members.
There are a number of non-sports items available through the auction as well, including a one-night stay for two at the Delta Prince Edward in downtown Charlottetown, a two-hour deep-sea fishing excursion for two people with P.E.I. Sea Adventures, original paintings, handmade crafts from the Friday Afternoon Gals in Souris and a half cord of wood (blocked maple hardwood donated by Allan Kelly Forestry Consulting).
Jason Malloy is an editor with The Guardian. He can be reached by email at [email protected] and followed on Twitter at @SportsGuardian.
