NLL Insider

It’s just a good deed kind of morning here on NLLinsider so what better time to tell you about what National Lacrosse League Hall of Famer Jim Veltman has been up to in his spare time.

Instead of taking a cruise or joining a country club or laughing maniacally, Mr. Veltman celebrated his retirement from professional lacrosse last summer by travelling to the isolated and somewhat destitute Attawapiskat, a First Nation community way up North beside James Bay. Not exactly a vacation destination, Attawapiskat can be reached only by plane on an antiquated gravel runway. Inhabitants are frequently forced to evacuate due to flood threats. There’s no elementary school.

Jim Veltman was there doing what Jim Veltman does: spreading the love of the game by providing lacrosse instruction and donated equipment to the Attawapiskat youth.

“Though the living conditions there are sub-standard, the joy in the kids was not,” said Mr. Veltman. “Many of them were extremely shy at first, but were very quickly smiling, laughing and having a great time once they were on the floor with a lacrosse stick in their hand. It was amazing to see the effect of the game on those kids.”

It should probably come as no surprise that his efforts have evolved into a not-for-profit charity called Spirit of the Stick. With what they refer to as the simple goal of providing vulnerable children and adolescents with an opportunity to grow emotionally, physically, psychologically and spiritually through Canada’s first national sport, the organization is currently organizing lacrosse clinics for vulnerable children and youth in the Greater Toronto Area.

“Spirit of the Stick hopes to make a difference in the lives of children in need using the game of lacrosse in a way that would make the Creator proud,” Mr. Veltman added. “To see the joy on children’s faces is all the motivation volunteers and supporters need to ensure its success.”

For more information on Spirit of the Stick, you can visit the website. Information about upcoming clinics will be released shortly, as will details on how interested communities can apply for future programs.

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