The Lake Cowichan Appollos senior AA men’s hockey team faced off against the junior A Lake Cowichan Kraken at high noon on Oct. 12 in the first annual Community Challenge Cup.
The goal of the Community Challenge Cup is to make a positive impact on the community that has given so much to the area’s hockey groups.
“When [Appollos president] Ross Forrest brought up the idea of hosting an annual charity game with the Kraken, a lot of our team got excited,” said team assistant captain Keenan Eddy, of Lake Cowichan. “We have been saying since the idea of returning the team started flying around that if we return the Appollos to Lake Cowichan, we don’t want to only have success on the ice but we want to make a difference in the community and a positive impact on the people of Lake Cowichan."
Eddy said the teams feel privileged to have the opportunity to support a local Lake Cowichan family.
“We are essentially just acting as a vessel for Lake Cowichan to show how we support our own when the battles that life throws our way come up,” he said.
Entry into the game was by donation and this year the proceeds of the Community Challenge Cup were donated to Steve and Megan Olson and their baby Buddy Olson.
“The event was a huge success, which didn’t come as a surprise since we know how caring the people of Lake Cowichan can be,” Eddy said. “We hope that this is just the beginning and that we can continue to make a difference for many years to come.”
Baby Buddy William Andrew Olson was born on Sept. 21 at 26 weeks, weighing in at only 1.5 pounds. The hockey teams hope to help to support the Olson family as they take on the challenges that come with Buddy arriving so early.
“The baby is in a real fight and the family will be with him in hospital in Victoria for quite a long time,” said Appollos president Ross Forrest. “Our community is very supportive and we expected a good turnout on short notice to attend the game and contribute to this cause.”
Knowing the community has their back is comforting to the Olsons.
“It’s absolutely beautiful what the town is doing for us I’m super grateful to have everyone in his corner,” Megan Olson said. “We are doing well, it’s been quite the rollercoaster, but he’s got the best care team.”
Megan said the family is hoping to he home for Christmas barring any setbacks.
“His due date is Dec. 23, and they basically say to base going home date off of their due date as long as everything is going well,” she said.
"It’s a lot, it’s a juggling act, we have a story to tell, perseverance and a whole lot of tears, happy ones, sad ones, you name it they have fallen. Thank you so much, you have no idea how much all of this means to my family, in a crazy time it’s nice knowing his presence is felt already in our entire community. It’s a blessing to be from such a wonderful community.”
Those who were unable to attend but would like to support the Olson family can drop a donation off at Dot’s Shoe Store.
