NHLer Patrick Sharp continues to help George Jeffrey Children's Centre

No matter how many Stanley Cups Patrick Sharp hoists to the sky, he’s never forgotten the George Jeffrey Children’s Centre.

Sharp, in the midst of moving his family from Chicago to Dallas after an off-season trade to the Stars, is spending a few days in Thunder Bay this week, where on Thursday he’ll host his annual golf tournament in support of the centre.

It’s a wonderful cause, Sharp said on Wednesday at an open house for families and sponsors of the tournament, being held at Fort William Country Club.

“It’s crazy to think that another year flew by so quickly. It’s been a busy five years for myself and my family, but to be back in Thunder Bay, back in the city celebrating another championship here with everybody at George Jeffrey Children’s Centre, I’m looking forward to tomorrow,” Sharp said.

There are a lot of reasons why he chose to lend his name to the charity, the Winnipeg-born, Thunder Bay-raised NHLer said.
First and foremost they reached out.

But once he got involved, he quickly realized how important a role the facility plays in the lives of children with mental and physical challenges.

“Over the years I’ve built stronger ties to the centre. I know how much good it does to the people in the community. There are a number of worthy causes across the city, but this one strikes a chord,” Sharp said.

The centre’s Mary-Anne Comuzzi said having Sharp endorsing the centre has heightened its already high profile in the city.

“He always comes back,” Comuzzi said. “He’s got a good heart. He’s a good person. With everything that’s been happening, he’s had lots of turmoil this year and yet he’s coming back this year for the tournament.”

Last year’s event raised about $125,000, she added.

“It’s huge,” Comuzzi said. “That kind of money certainly helps us. We’re in a position right now where we said last year we have more than 400 children on our waiting list. So we’re trying to come up with a plan so we can expedite children waiting.

“And this money certainly is going to help us get to that point so no child is going to wait.”