Help a Young Boys Hockey Dream Come True
Donation protected
It is with great excitement and awe that we write this to you!
Last year, we made the decision to move our family to Thailand which brought many incredible opportunities... wit also meant our youngest son, Dakota, might not be able live his dream: ice hockey.
How wrong we were! We never would have imagined that we were, in fact, moving him closer to opportunity!
Dakota has wanted to be a goalie since watching the Canadians win the Olympics in Vancouver. He even made a point of bringing his floor hockey gear and rollerblades (minus hockey sticks for lack of room) around the world in order to continue practicing. His hero is Roberto Luongo - he even remembers reading a story of Luongo putting couch cushions on as pads in order to keep his dream alive! This story has stayed with Dakota and continues to inspire him to the point where, while in Chaing Mai practicing (without hockey sticks), he even had two young Thai boys thinking it was funny to throw balls at him to see if he could catch or block them. Full gear, Thailand heat, no sticks… doing everything he can to move toward his dream. He rollerblades and practices drills everyday.
When we moved closer to Bangkok, we started looking for hockey sticks (there is some ice hockey there). In the process, we decided to inquire about lessons… as it turns out, there is a league starting in mid-August and they are short on goalies! They said he could have huge opportunities and the tournaments are in Hong Kong, Singapore, etc (the first one being this October in Bangkok)!
Dakota has never played for a hockey team before. At twelve years old, we were intent on still giving him the opportunity to play, but in Canada, we knew that his chances were much slimmer in comparison with kids that have been playing their entire lives. To our amazement, he now has the opportunity to fulfil his dream! In fact, he has already been to the first few practices (playing as a player as we don’t have full goalie gear here in Thailand)!
Hockey can be an expensive endeavour hence the practice, worldwide, of players requesting and obtaining sponsors. The same is true here in Thailand.
If you are willing, we would love to have your help in funding Dakota’s dream. He would initially be practicing twice per week in Bangkok, and would also require goalie equipment in full. With there being few ice rinks in Thailand, many of the games will be played in neighbouring countries. Sponsorship would help aid in equipment, travel to and from Bangkok. as well as travel to games. We drive 12 hours a week to give Dakota the opportunity to practice 2 times a week on the ice and will travel more when the league starts - we are as dedicated to his success as he is.
We are seeking sponsorship (or donations) of up to $4000 to cover the initial costs of full goalie gear and hockey fees and some extra skate lesson fees. We are initially taking on the time and cost of traveling to Bangkok 2 times a week (6 hours driving each practice), but would welcome sponsorship/funding to help cover this cost, as well. We will also be fundraising for future games in neighbouring countries.
If you have a share passion for hockey (or even the idea of helping people to live their dreams), we're sure that you would appreciate the opportunity to help make a young boy’s dream become a reality. At the very least, we are sure you know of someone who would.
Thank you for your consideration and support.
Last year, we made the decision to move our family to Thailand which brought many incredible opportunities... wit also meant our youngest son, Dakota, might not be able live his dream: ice hockey.
How wrong we were! We never would have imagined that we were, in fact, moving him closer to opportunity!
Dakota has wanted to be a goalie since watching the Canadians win the Olympics in Vancouver. He even made a point of bringing his floor hockey gear and rollerblades (minus hockey sticks for lack of room) around the world in order to continue practicing. His hero is Roberto Luongo - he even remembers reading a story of Luongo putting couch cushions on as pads in order to keep his dream alive! This story has stayed with Dakota and continues to inspire him to the point where, while in Chaing Mai practicing (without hockey sticks), he even had two young Thai boys thinking it was funny to throw balls at him to see if he could catch or block them. Full gear, Thailand heat, no sticks… doing everything he can to move toward his dream. He rollerblades and practices drills everyday.
When we moved closer to Bangkok, we started looking for hockey sticks (there is some ice hockey there). In the process, we decided to inquire about lessons… as it turns out, there is a league starting in mid-August and they are short on goalies! They said he could have huge opportunities and the tournaments are in Hong Kong, Singapore, etc (the first one being this October in Bangkok)!
Dakota has never played for a hockey team before. At twelve years old, we were intent on still giving him the opportunity to play, but in Canada, we knew that his chances were much slimmer in comparison with kids that have been playing their entire lives. To our amazement, he now has the opportunity to fulfil his dream! In fact, he has already been to the first few practices (playing as a player as we don’t have full goalie gear here in Thailand)!
Hockey can be an expensive endeavour hence the practice, worldwide, of players requesting and obtaining sponsors. The same is true here in Thailand.
If you are willing, we would love to have your help in funding Dakota’s dream. He would initially be practicing twice per week in Bangkok, and would also require goalie equipment in full. With there being few ice rinks in Thailand, many of the games will be played in neighbouring countries. Sponsorship would help aid in equipment, travel to and from Bangkok. as well as travel to games. We drive 12 hours a week to give Dakota the opportunity to practice 2 times a week on the ice and will travel more when the league starts - we are as dedicated to his success as he is.
We are seeking sponsorship (or donations) of up to $4000 to cover the initial costs of full goalie gear and hockey fees and some extra skate lesson fees. We are initially taking on the time and cost of traveling to Bangkok 2 times a week (6 hours driving each practice), but would welcome sponsorship/funding to help cover this cost, as well. We will also be fundraising for future games in neighbouring countries.
If you have a share passion for hockey (or even the idea of helping people to live their dreams), we're sure that you would appreciate the opportunity to help make a young boy’s dream become a reality. At the very least, we are sure you know of someone who would.
Thank you for your consideration and support.
Organizer
Keli Carpenter
Organizer
Oak Bay, BC