It was a day of rubbing shoulders with local and international celebrity athletes for roughly 400 children from the Thames Valley Children’s Centre.
The kids gathered at the Metroland Media Agriplex Monday for the We’re All Stars Celebration ahead of the Rogers Sports Celebrity Dinner and Auction.
Kids heard words of inspiration from retired Toronto Blue Jay Roberto Alomar, former NHLer John Scott, and London Knights Tyler Parsons and JJ Piccinich.
After recapping his fight to earn a spot in the 2016 NHL All-Star game, in which he scored two goals and was named MVP, Scott explained to the kids why it's important to never give up on your dreams.
"I went through a lot of struggles during my career. I had people saying 'you're not good enough, you're too tall, you're slow, you're just a goon, you'll never make it, just give up.' When you hear those things constantly it wears on you," Scott told the kids. "It takes a strong person to persevere through that and I see everyone here has those in tangibles and it is really nice to see people really stick up for themselves and have a family unit or support system to really guide themselves and persevere."
Scott went on to tell the kids "if you work hard and stick with it good things will happen. Just surround yourself with good people."
Cole Martin, 16, is this year's TVCC Ambassador. Martin knows first hand how special the event is for children who rely on the services of the Thames Valley Children’s Centre.
"I've grown up my whole life missing my legs," said Martin. "Just knowing that there are other people going through similar things as I am and the fact that Thames Valley is helping all of them is really good."
As the TVCC Ambassador, Martin joined the other celebrities in signing autographs once the speeches were complete. Kids spent roughly an hour meeting all the athletes, and getting pictures and autographs.
The Rogers Sports Celebrity Dinner takes place in the evening, with all of the proceeds going to the Thames Valley Children’s Centre.