Join the Bonner Boys Community Club in April 2023

COURTNEY McCLURE, The Standard

UXBRIDGE: The Bonner Boys Community Club annual hockey tournament is coming back in April 2023 after a hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The tournament will be held at the Uxbridge Arena and Recreation Centre and will last three days, starting Friday, April 28th, through Sunday, April 30th.

There will be about 40 teams competing in this year’s tournament. Each team participating in the hockey tournament must pay an entry fee. The members of the club also run a silent auction during the tournament.

A dance will also be hosted on Saturday night during the three-day tournament. Admission to the dance is free, but the Bonner Boys encourage donations.

“All the funds [we] raise go back into the community,” said Bonner Boys’ past president, Jason Hicken.

This year, a portion of funds will be used to support Oak Valley Health, Uxbridge Cottage Hospital. A portion of the funds raised during the hockey tournament will also be set aside to help families within the community.

The Bonner Boys decided to donate funds raised through the tournament because “[The hospital] is important for us because we are all members of the community,” said Mr. Hicken. He added, over the years, the Bonner Boys have donated to the hospital and to the Uxbridge Loaves and Fishes food bank.

The Bonner Boys started after Uxbridge community member Brent Bonner passed away in 2003.

“He was a good friend to all of us,” explained Mr. Hicken.

Originally, the club raised money for Mr. Bonner’s family to support his children in the future. Then, the club started taking on other community initiatives, including raising funds for the local splash pad and funds for families with sick children who must stay at SickKids Hospital in Toronto.

If any other teams are interested in participating, Mr. Hicken said they would be put on a waiting list.

To be added to the waitlist, please contact the Bonner Boys club through email at bonnerboys26@gmail.com. You can also contact them through their Facebook page under the name Bonner Boys.