Duguay excited for charity golf classic

The Human League supports the Breakfast Club for Kids, which helps to provide 16,000 nutritious meals and snacks daily to school-aged children all across Greater Sudbury.

While the benefits of the program are clear, it does not receive any government funding. That’s where the Play IV Change program comes in — to help raise the funds needed.

One of the biggest fundraisers is the 17th annual NHL Legends Golf Classic on June 12 at Timberwolf Golf Club.

Back to help out are NHL greats Reggie Leach, Dennis Maruk and Sudbury native and former Sudbury Wolf, Ron Duguay.

Duguay said he loves to come home to Sudbury and it makes it even better to come back and help out the Human League.

“It’s a great cause to say the least and I am very sensitive to kid’s issues” said Duguay. “When a kid has to go to school without food, that just doesn’t make sense and you wouldn’t think that happens in the Sudbury area, but it does.

“It’s up to all of us to make sure these kids get fed.”

Duguay said it’s also a chance to have some fun on the golf course for a good cause.

“We bring our sense of humour with us and leave the egos at home and we don’t go out there to make great scores,” Dugauy said. “We have a lot of fun with those who come out and at the end of the day, we all win because we’ve raised money for the Human League.”

Leanne Lavoie, executive director of the Human League, said the NHL Legends Golf Classic is one of the most important events the organization runs.

“Last year, we brought in about $35,000 from this tournament, so we would at least like to match it this year,” said Lavoie. “We’re not government funded at all, so every dollar we put into our programs, we have to fundraise for.”

Lavoie said the funds also go towards the PLAY Program (Positive Leisure Activities for Youth) that helps cover the costs of extra-curricular activities and sports.

That’s a cause that is near and dear to former Philadelphia Flyer and Stanley Cup winner, Reggie Leach, who now lives on Manitoulin Island.

“It’s great to have a program like that to support the kids,” said Leach. “It’s important that kids and families that can’t afford it have the chance to participate. No one should be kept away from sports because a family doesn’t have enough money.”

Teams can register for the tournament by calling 705-670-8633 or visiting humanleaguesudbury.com for registration information and forms.