232244
Kelowna  

Street hockey game on Leon filmed for Kelowna Gospel Mission

Hockey for homelessness

Hockey players and fans alike gathered at Leon Avenue on Tuesday to star in a street hockey game, filmed by local production company Solid Rock Video. 

West Kelowna Warriors players turned up for the game, as well as various Leon Ave residents and drop-in extras.

The film will be produced as part of the Kelowna Gospel Mission's Christmas fundraising campaign, says Solid Rock Video owner Curtis Allen. 

"We wanted to really tell the stories of these people, and we wanted to humanize them in a way that would resonate with people in Kelowna. One of the ways we decided to do that was to play hockey, because hockey brings all Canadians together. Sports brings all Canadians together.

"I might have had dreams of playing in the NHL and so does the guy over here. We have the same dream so when you can play a game like this it lets people forget what’s going on for a while, and also brings community members in to play with people they normally wouldn’t even look at... what a great opportunity for us. That’s going to be how we tell the story." 

Hockey sticks were provided for the game, which took place in front of the Kelowna Gospel Mission building from 9:45 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Kelowna Gospel Mission resource development director Michael Morrison says he wanted to produce a film in a different style from their usual fundraising videos, and emphasize the commonalities between people from all walks of life. 

"I think the younger generation needs to know that [homelessness] is happening... we wanted to show that homeless people are humans too and we’re all the same, and what better way to show it than through hockey. This is something great to happen for the street and I know the guys are happy." 

Morrison hopes the video will build awareness and show the community another side of homelessness, as well as bringing in money to support the Kelowna Gospel Mission's programmes.



More Kelowna News