Hockey sticks collected in Chatham-Kent for Hockey Stick Flags (Photo courtesy Ryan McKeon)Hockey sticks collected in Chatham-Kent for Hockey Stick Flags (Photo courtesy Ryan McKeon)
Chatham

Hundreds of hockey sticks from CK headed to London for father-son project

Hundreds of old hockey sticks will find new life and be put to good use thanks to the generosity of Chatham-Kent residents.

Last week, Ryan McKeon with the Kent Minor Hockey Association put out a plea looking to collect hockey sticks for Hockey Stick Flags.

The initiative was created by Jakob and Jason Smith, a father and son duo from London who use old wooden pallets and broken hockey sticks to create Canadian flag artwork.

Money from sales of the pieces goes towards the long-term support of Jakob, who has special needs. However, a shortage in hockey sticks because of the pandemic meant the duo was having trouble fulfilling orders.

The pair's story attracted attention from across the province and McKeon knew Chatham-Kent residents would be willing to step up and help.

Hockey sticks collected in Chatham-Kent for Hockey Stick Flags (Photo courtesy Ryan McKeon) Hockey sticks collected in Chatham-Kent for Hockey Stick Flags (Photo courtesy Ryan McKeon)

McKeon volunteered a few hours of his time on Saturday and Sunday at two arenas in Chatham-Kent to collect sticks and said it turned out to be a big success.

"For such a last-minute thing it went really well," he said. "I filled the back of my [pickup] truck with I would say over 500 sticks...it was a great success. Everybody was happy and clearing out their garages and just excited to donate and give to the cause."

According to McKeon, all the hockey sticks will now be hand-delivered to the father and son.

"A co-worker of Jakob's dad's Jason lives in Chatham," he explained. "So they've been dropped off at a neighbour's house and he's going to take them up from there in his truck and get them to Jason at work."

Jason and Jakob Smith (Photo via Hockey Stick Flags Facebook) Jason and Jakob Smith (Photo via Hockey Stick Flags Facebook)

More information about Hockey Stick Flags can be found by clicking here.

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