By Andre Lodder
Sticks and Stones may break bones, but they also fix kidney stones.
The Belleville Bulls won their Saturday game against the Guelph Storm 3-1 but the Sticks and Stones fundraiser stole the show.
The fundraiser was organized by the Belleville General Hospital Foundation in order to raise money for a holmium laser, a piece of equipment used to eliminate kidney stones.
The team wore a special limited edition jersey with a BGH theme. The bovine that usually adorns the Bulls’ crest was given a stethoscope and hospital patch. The jersey itself resembled a mixture of both the Canadian and Swiss international jerseys.
Following the game, the team’s game-worn jerseys were auctioned off with proceeds donated to BGH equipment.
The total amount from the fundraiser has yet to be determined, but will be revealed at the Bull’s home game on Saturday against the Mississauga St. Michael’s Majors. The auction alone raised more than $30,000.
Martin Queen, a BGH Foundation board member, took part in the auction purchasing the jersey of Bull’s goaltender Malcolm Subban.
Queen said he was happy to win the bid for the jersey but was even happier to see people actively taking part in the auction.
“It’s not about the sweater; it’s not about the game; it’s about giving back to the community and raising money for equipment for the hospital so we can all be taken care of,” said Queen.
Queen is no stranger to the hospital’s need for the equipment. He’s taken part in similar events hosted by the Bulls in the past.
“The people in Belleville are always giving back, so this is my chance to do a little bit of that also,” said Queen.