Rick Jones Congratulations on being named a 2009 RBC Local Hockey Leaders. As I mentioned on the call as an RBC Local Hockey Leaders you have won the following:
TSN2 will announce the RBC Local Hockey Leaders winners live during the first intermission of the RBC Cup at 4:30 p.m. EST. TSN will air 0 it tape delayed at 8:30 PST. Your photo-op has been scheduled for: 1:30 p.m. Monday, at the Ice Dogs Arena. The local RBC Branch manager will be in attendance to present you with the official RBC Local Hockey Leaders banner to be raised at your arena. Please feel free to invite your family and friends to the photo-op. For more information on the program please visit www.rbclocalhockeyleaders.com. Please find attached a copy of the nomination essay submitted on your behalf. I will be in touch in the next week to arrange for your travel to Toronto, but if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Congratulation on this well deserved honour, Katie RBC Local Hockey Leaders
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ONTARIO HOCKEY FEDERATION Nominee: Rick Jones, St. Catharines, ON Nominator: Mark Middleton, Grimsby, ON Rick Jones has been involved with the CYO Hockey Association executive for many years, and has sat on the executive of minor hockey in St. Catharines. Rick is also involved with community living in St. Catharines, helping the disabled and challenged. Eight years ago Rick initiated a program for the mentally disabled children and adults in the Niagara Region. Rick is also on the board of directors for this organization, as well as spending many hours on the ice helping these disabled players enjoy a Canadian Sport that would not be possible if he had not initiated the hockey program. As a parent of a mentally disabled child I do not know what my son would be doing for enjoyment and sport if Rick had not started this hockey program. This is not just a hockey team but a place where disabled children and adults can socialize with their peers. This team has grown to a senior and junior level involving approximately 50 players. Rick has started a program for teenagers to volunteer and work with the disabled, enabling them to achieve their community hours required for school. Each week Rick is on the ice with these players (both teams). I could explain at length the time he takes with each disabled participant, and how he tries to make a connection with these players. Rick has the thanks and gratitude of many parents, children and families throughout the Niagara community. His work goes well beyond being on the ice coaching hockey to children. Each year Rick Jones organizes a golf tournament that raises money to support the CYO Heat hockey organization. As you may not be aware, mentally disabled adults are on a ODSP (disablity pension) and may not be able to afford to play hockey. This is a very large tournament that raises a signicant amount of money that assists the CYO Heat. Rick arranges many aspects of this tournament, from storing prizes in his garage, tickets, volunteers, and much more. This tournament has become a annual event tha many people look forward to in the Niagara community. There a many families here in Niagara whose lives have been touched by Rick's involvement, in hockey, the CYO organization, and through community living where Rick is still very active. Rick is a very special leader here in the Niagara region, he gives our children a place to play hockey, he provides older disabled players a means to enable them to play, and families the opportunity to participate and socialize, which may not have been available if not for his volunteering and coaching. Rick is very much appreciated by many people in Niagara, beyond the involvement with our hockey organization.
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Hi Friends & Family, As many of you may or may not know, a while ago I received a letter from the RBC selection committee notifying me that I had been nominated to be a Local RBC hockey Leader in our community. I was very thrilled to find out that not only my very own daughter Rachel but one of the parents from our local Special needs CYO Heat team Mark Middleton, had written a letter to the contest. Five weeks later I was notified that I was a finalist in the selection process. This morning I was notified again to find out I was chosen to represent our region as an Olympic torch bearer and the winner of this contest. Below is a list of the prizes and things accompanying the award. I am very thankful to these folks for their confidence in me and I will be making the donation of $10,000 TO THE CYO HEAT SPECIAL NEEDS HOCKEY program. It will be a very exciting time doing this for our community and I hope that many of you will support me along the way. Please note the times this Monday for the official announcement on TSN 2 & TSN. I hope you all tune in. Thanks again, Rick Jones What exciting news and I cannot think of a more well deserved honour for you Rick – Thanks so much for choosing the CYO heat for the donation – it will go a long way to support the teams. Special thanks too, to the Middleton’s for putting in the time and effort in nominating Rick and researching the opportunity. Great News – Thanks for all you do. Sincerely, The Sportel’s Rick, This community could not have chosen a better local hockey leader. Congratulations! Cheers, Curt Rick, As I mentioned, I have just posted your article on my blog at www.mikecheliak.com. Congratulations once again to you and all the Heat families! Regards,
Mike Cheliak The St. Catharines CYO Minor Hockey Association takes great pleasure in congratulating Rick Jones for being honoured by RBC, for his valuable contribution to our community. Rick is very deserving of such an honour, and the task of finding the words to demonstrate our gratitude proves somewhat daunting. We take great pride, and are honoured to have Rick and the St Catharines CYO Heat program, play an integral part in our St Catharines CYO Minor Hockey family. We need to honour people like Rick. Such people, give willingly of themselves, to make a difference in the lives of countless others. Rick represents the true heroes in our society. The ones who dare to care, when the majority stops, or don’t care enough. By bringing the joy of hockey to those more challenged, Rick offers the gift of hope. Hope to both them, and to us, for a more caring and understanding community. This hope will burn bright in our hearts, as Rick carries the Olympic Torch. Thank you for these “life lessons” Rick. George Estrela President St Catharines CYO Minor Hockey
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