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| Volunteers Gerald Butler, left, and Paul MacDonald were busy Wednesday in Charlottetown packing gift bags that golfers playing in today’s Brad Richards Celebrity Golf Classic will receive. Top NHL draft pick Steve Stamkos is among the celebrities who will be playing at the Brudenell and Dundarave courses. Guardian photo by Heather Taweel |
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Brad Richards watched one of his young cousins die from brain cancer while two other cousins were diagnosed with autism just a few years ago.
So, he knows all too well how important it is to support charities like the Children’s Wish Foundation and the Autism Society of P.E.I.
Those two organizations will be the beneficiaries of the annual Brad Richards Celebrity Golf Classic at Brudenell and Dundarave golf courses today.
“Seeing all the wishes come true for kids who are fighting pretty major battles is pretty special,’’ the Murray Harbour native told The Guardian on Wednesday.
“Just having my cousin, who died of brain cancer at such a young age, seeing how kids get affected by these life-threatening diseases . . . they just live life like nothing’s wrong. It’s pretty amazing.’’
Richards, who was traded to the Dallas Stars at the NHL trade deadline in February, is hosting an impressive list of celebrities on Friday, including Steve Stamkos, who went first overall to the Tampa Bay Lightning, ironically the team that traded Richards to Dallas.
The celebrity list also includes Alex Pietrangelo, who went fourth overall to St. Louis in the draft; Corey Perry, who won the Stanley Cup with Anaheim in 2007; Doug Gilmour, Pat Quinn and dozens of others.
The celebrity golf tournament will bring in enough money to pay for up to six wishes. Each wish runs about $10,000.
Richards says the event also serves to raise awareness for autism.
“I have two healthy young cousins who are doing very well who were diagnosed with it. But, when they first (learned of the diagnosis), no one really knew anything about it.
“The money we raise can create different things for (kids with autism) but it’s more creating awareness. There are lots of families affected with it, not only on P.E.I. but all over the place. It is very workable and treatable.’’
Gerald Butler, one of the many volunteers at the tournament, said the event is all about the kids.
“When you see the situation these kids are in and when you have your own health and you know they don’t, it’s just so easy to do this, it’s unbelievable,’’ said Butler, who last year drove kids around the course to meet the celebrities.
“Just to see the joy in their faces. You drive up and the celebrities stop what they’re doing, they drop everything and sign autographs for the kids. It just makes their
day.’’
Paul MacDonald, another volunteer, said enough can’t be said about what Richards does for the two Island charities.
“He’s giving back to the community, that’s what it’s all about.’’
Craig Williams, 17, of Bideford, got his wish a few years ago.
Suffering from brain cancer, his wish was to meet Richards and fellow NHLer Todd Bertuzzi. Williams, now cancer-free, plans on being there Friday.
“Brad has always gone out of his way,’’ Williams said. “It’s great to see a professional athlete like that. He does a lot for the community.’’
Lee Gauthier, chapter director on P.E.I. for the Children’s Wish Foundation, said they’ve granted nine wishes since January and there’s another 12 sitting on his desk.
“The funds that are coming in are going to be used immediately to make sure the wishes are completed and looked after,’’ said Gauthier.
It will take a team of more than 60 volunteers to make today’s event a success.
“Everyone playing in the tournament, buying sponsorships, the volunteer group, it’s not just my name that makes it all work,’’ Richards said.
