Sens Owner Eugene Melnyk presents Linda Blanchette with a Sens jersey of her own (Photo: Tim Durkin/ Quinte News)
Over 200 people packed the Batawa Community Centre on Friday night for the 6th annual Batawa Pond Hockey Gala. This year’s special guests were Ottawa & Belleville Senators Owner Eugene Melnyk and Linda Blanchette, a woman who lives with a partner who suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
A packed Batawa Community Centre at the Pond Hockey Gala (Photo: Tim Durkin/ Quinte News)
Eugene Melnyk says he was thrilled to join the event.
Pond Hockey Organizer Jeffrey Moorhouse says you cannot ask for anything better.
Linda Blanchette gave a heartwarming speech about living with someone who has PTSD (Photo: Tim Durkin/ Quinte News)
Laura Lee Hogan is with the Trenton Memorial Hospital Foundation and says it was a wonderful evening. TMHF and Wounded Warriors Canada
David MacDonald with Wounded Warriors.
Anna Loveman lost her son Kyle serving in combat for Canada and received a standing ovation. (Photo: Tim Durkin/ Quinte News
Base Commander Colonel Colin Keiver says everything worked perfectly for the evening.
A standing ovation for Linda Blanchette after her talk on PTSD (Photo: Tim Durkin/ Quinte News)
Belleville Mayor Taso Christopher says the Senators are embracing the entire Quinte community, not just the Friendly City.
Final numbers are not available for funds raised, however it’s estimated tens of thousands of dollars will be raised.
Linda Blanchette’s full talk can be heard below.
Eugene Melnyk’s talk is available below.
Eugene Melnyk donated his jersey off his back and QW Mayor Jim Harrison bid $1,000.
He then donated the worn & signed jersey to Belleville Mayor Taso Christopher (Photo: Tim Durkin/Quinte News)
The Belleville Senators website can be found by CLICKING HERE
