Fredericton’s Jake Allen is looking to give back to the town he grew up in by hosting an annual golf tournament.
The Alzheimer’s Society of New Brunswick, Kingswood Golf Course’s Turnaround Achievement Award and local minor hockey associations will benefit from the first annual Jake Allen Celebrity Classic when it takes place July 13-14.
“It’s a way to give back and almost say thank you to the people of Fredericton and the people of New Brunswick who helped me so immensely to get to the National Hockey League and fulfill my dreams,” the St. Louis Blues goaltender said Friday.
Allen’s choice of charities are all close to his heart. As a teenager he worked various jobs at Kingswood. Their Turnaround Award has helped nearly 900 students go to post-secondary institutions over the years.
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“As more and more students are looking to do secondary education we have to come up with more funds and scholarships for that program,” said Kevin Johnston, marketing director at Kingswood.
“This is a great opportunity for us to highlight that program and provide funds for it.”
Through his equipment sponsor, minor hockey associations in Fredericton and St. Stephen will receive several sets of brand new gear which will be used by kids who really need it.
But perhaps nearest and dearest to Allen is the Alzheimer’s Society — which he feels a family connection to.
“So many people have been affected either through a family member or someone you’re connected to in your life,” said Allen. “For me, my grandfather passed away last year due to the disease.”
Registration filled almost immediately for the inaugural event, but Allen says they have no plans of making this a one-off.
“I really want this to be a yearly event,” he said.
“I want people to come back and see our great city and our province and to be able to bring more and more players.”
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