Dave Duggan and the team at Nurse Chevrolet Cadillac have been fervent supporters of Easter Seals kids through the Eric Lindros Celebrity Hockey Classic since it began in 2012. Dave has been a volunteer, participant, and committee member whose community connections, leadership skills, and drive to succeed have contributed to the development, growth and success of the tournament.
Dave’s involvement has generated over $130,000 in support from Mary Nurse and her dealership. In addition, Dave has personally contributed over $7,000, and his fundraising efforts have resulted in over $32,000 to help kids with physical disabilities succeed.
This year Dave was awarded the Diamond Creative Altruism Award, which is presented to a corporation that displays the transformative power of caring, creativity and commitment and takes an innovative approach to fundraising that helps further the mission of Easter Seals. Here is what Dave had to say about how he got involved with Easter Seals, and why he continues to be a champion for kids with physical disabilities:
“I got involved with Easter Seals when one Coralie Jacobs searched me out at Iroquois Park Area in Whitby. Coralie introduced herself and told me about Easter Seals, what they are about and who they help out. This sparked my interest as I have a nephew who has cerebral palsy. At the time I was the President of the Whitby Men’s Hockey League and also played hockey on a tournament team and also played pickup hockey with another group of men. Coralie gave me details of trying to start a one-day hockey tournament to raise money for Easter Seals and that Eric Lindros had endorsed the tournament putting his name on it as the Lindros Classic. I knew Eric from his junior hockey day days playing for the Oshawa Generals. I am the General Manager of Nurse Chevrolet Cadillac and the dealership sponsored Eric for a few years. It all seemed like a good fit and I wanted to help and the help Easter Seals needed from me is to get teams which we did with great success!
As I mentioned I have a nephew with cerebral palsy and I have seen firsthand the struggles and the amount of money needed to raise a child with cerebral palsy. This motivated me to want to help, and after visiting camp Merrywood, I knew Easter Seals was the right fit for me. Great kids, great families, a great organization with exceptional leadership. I can’t say enough about Kevin Collins and his team.
Having seen the struggles, knowing the costs and knowing Kevin and his team truly care about the kids keeps me wanting to help. Coralie always has fresh ideas on our next fundraising adventure and with her focus and determination, she attracts the great people that truly want to help.”
Thank you, Dave, for continuing to be there for us and challenging us to do better. We have benefitted greatly from your time, advice, and honesty. You have truly been a big part of the success of the Lindros Celebrity Classic, and we sincerely thank you for your exceptional commitment to changing the lives of children and youth with physical disabilities.