Joey Payeur
The joy felt by those who welcomed home their hockey hero will be felt for weeks, months and years to come by many different community organizations and those they serve.
Five cheques of $5,000 each for a total of $25,000 were handed out around Fort Frances and neighbourng Couchiching First Nation on Monday and yesterday on behalf of former Fort resident and current Chicago Blackhawks defenceman Duncan Keith.
The reigning Stanley Cup champion and Conn Smythe Trophy winner made the donations on the heels of “Duncan Keith Day” on Aug. 1, when he returned to the place where he first learned the game of hockey.
The flurry of philanthropy kicked off at Monday’s town council meeting, with Mayor Roy Avis accepting the first cheque.
“I think it was unexpected,” said Mayor Avis, who didn’t make any early predictions as to how the money would be used.
“It shows the true character of Duncan and his thoughtfulness towards the area and the people who live here,” he continued.
“It’s very rewarding to see people who have accomplished what he has to come back to the community and donate to the community.”
Yesterday, Mayor Avis and the “gatekeeper” of “Duncan Keith Day”, Larry Patrick, began a whirlwind morning tour of the community at the Couchiching band office where they were met by appreciative Chief Sara Mainville.
“It was a pleasant surprise,” said Chief Mainville.
“We had such a good day with Duncan and enjoyed his brief time in Couchiching,” she added.
“The kids loved it. I think Duncan made dozens and dozens of new Chicago Blackhawks fans.”
Chief Mainville said the plan was to put the money “to good use,” likely funneling it towards youth sports on the First Nation.
The next stops were at La Verendrye Hospital and Rainycrest Long-term Care, where Riverside Foundation for Health Care chair Livia Lundon expressed her gratitude.
“Riverside is honored to receive such a generous donation for the LaVerendrye and Rainycrest sites,” stated Lundon.
“It was remarkable that Mr. Keith took the time to personally visit our facilities to share Lord Stanley’s Cup and create memories for our patients in hospital, residents of Front Street Manor and Rainycrest Home,” she continued.
“Duncan demonstrated what community service and giving back really means. He was a class act from start to finish.”
Lundon said the money designated for the hospital would be the first donation towards the eventual purchase of a defibrillator/AED/cardiac monitor for La Verendrye’s emergency room.
The equipment will also be the fundraising target for the hospital’s annual fall gala in early October.
No decision has yet been made in regards to what the money intended for Rainycrest will be used for
Closing out the town-wide tour was a visit to the Memorial Sports Centre, where Mayor Avis and Patrick handed the final cheque to Fort Frances Minor Hockey Association president Wayne Strachan and vice-president Brent Tookenay.
“It’s obviously very honourable of Duncan to do this,” acknowledged Strachan.
“We never expected anything like this,” he added.
“We just helped out with ‘Duncan Keith Day’ the best we could. To get the cheque is a surreal feeling.
“You really see what kind of guy he is and how he wants to give back to help the kids in Fort Frances to succeed,” declared Strachan, who was also unsure where the FFMHA would channel its monetary gift from Keith.
“I’m sure it will go towards development or equipment wen can bring in to help further development to help the players grow as hockey players and as individuals.”
