Not just a hockey player

Dear sir:
I would first like to congratulate Mike Allison and his family on the recent news of him being inducted into Northwestern Ontario’s Sports Hall of Fame. I could not think of a more worthy candidate.
But Mike was much more than a hockey player. My sister, Cindy, who at the time was awaiting a heart transplant, was having a benefit in her honour to raise money for a very expensive operation.
Mike did not hesitate to do his part for her and our family. As busy as he was with his hockey career at the time for the Los Angeles Kings, he did not think twice about asking the best hockey player in the world for a couple of his sticks to raffle off at the function held at La Place Rendez-Vous.
The sticks raised a considerable amount of money to aid my family in a fight for her life. I am not sure if he even knows how much it was appreciated. I would like to thank him in this short note.
From our whole family, we thank you with deepest regards. And that it was a privilege to know you, not just as a great hockey player but as friends to our family. I will never forget what you did for my sister.
Thank you, Mike, for not just giving me so many thrills as a youngster, but taking time for what is really important. You are an important part of Northwestern Ontario and I again congratulate you and your family for this deserving award.
(Signed),
Robert Kawulia
Toronto, Ont.