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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, December 19, 2013 | 4 Gift of hockey delivered from Oakville to Gull Bay by John Bkila Oakville Beaver Staff Oakville firefighter Brett Eyers and his brother Scott, a Toronto firefighter, delivered Christmas early to young hockey players at Gull Bay First Nation. On Nov. 27, the pair delivered 22 hockey bags and 44 boxes of hockey equipment to the northern Ontario community, enough equipment for 50-60 children -- Gull Bay's population is approximately 300 people. "I think the Chief (Wilfred King) and (Band) Council of Gull Bay were a bit shocked we actually delivered on our promise. I'm sure they were skeptical. After all, it was quite a journey -- one that took almost a year to fulfill," said Brett, who has been an Oakville firefighter for 16 years. In the fall of 2012, the Oakville Hornets Girls Hockey Association contacted local firefighters to help collect unused hockey equipment to deliver to an Aboriginal reserve. Brett posted a request on his Facebook page asking if anyone knew of a First Nation in need of hockey equipment -- Scott noticed his brother's request and as word spread, the Eyers brothers and Oakville Hornets learned of Gull Bay. "Most of the work was done by Linda Thomson and a few hockey moms at the Oakville Hornets," Brett said. "They collected loonies and toonies from the parents and the Hornets' executive team chipped in $500 to assist in the From left, Oakville firefighters Andrew Lee, Brett Eyers and Darryl Storey, at the Manitoulin Transport depot in Mississauga, which provided free shipping to Thunder Bay, Ont. of hockey equipment collected by the Oakville Hornets Girls Hockey team and supporters. New helmets were provided at a reduced rate by Canadian Tire Kerr Street. | submitted photo purchase of new helmets and neck guards... the Hornets didn't want the kids up there playing without proper helmets." The equipment was kept at Cornwall Road's Fire Station No. 2 until it was ready to be pack- aged by Oakville firefighters and shipped. "(We) delivered it to Manitoulin Transport in Mississauga, where it was then shipped to Thunder Bay for free," Brett said. Offered free flights by Air Canada, the broth- ers flew to Thunder Bay, Ont., Nov. 26 and then drove three hours north to deliver the hockey equipment to Gull Bay the next morning -- once there, Brett and Scott were greeted by Band Chief Wilfred King and local police Chief Chuck King. "It was such a great experience to be able to see the equipment through to its final destination and visit the Gull Bay Reserve," said Brett. "We met the chief and about 10 of the members of (the Band) Council, and talked of how the plan came to fruition and they gave us a rundown on the reserve... from what they say, Gull Bay used to have a strong hockey culture." The Eyers brothers had a tour of the community's ice rink, school and fire station, glimpsing life on a northern reserve and the help needed. "The reception we received was very warm... I would have liked to have stayed longer," said Brett. He also noted it was the return drive that was the most enjoyable, as he and Scott began receiving voicemails from the Gull Bay community. "During our drive back south, they had a chance to go through the hockey equipment and were overwhelmed with the quality and quantity of it all. They told us they were truly humbled by our donation," he said. "As news began to travel around the reserve, we were told an elder couple had wished we were still there to invite us over for a moose stew dinner." BOXING WEEK SALE $100 off Dec. 26-31, 2013 6 DAYS ONLY /3for1glasses /3for1glasses The Right Pair for the Right Occasion. www.3for1glassesoakville.ca *Valid for any 3 for 1 purchase, cannot be combined with any other offer. EYE EXAMS AVAILABLE 220 North Service Rd. West @ Dorval 905-849-1522