While many hockey players tweet about taking the summer off to head to Las Vegas and enjoy their summers with blonde babes on one arm and a beer in the other hand while tanning it up, Kevin Bieksa's summer is shaping up to be nothing of the sort.
I've noticed over the last year or so, his maturity level on the ice and off has been growing in leaps and bounds. Since the death of his best friend and teammate, Rick Rypien, Bieksa has found other causes to stand up for. His work with the Mindcheck.ca campaign has been incredible. With helping to re-lauch the website earlier this year, he has helped numerous people get through their dark times just by being a voice for the cause.
His work didn't stop there. He just came back from an NHLPA's Goals and Dreams Camp a week ago held in Rick Rypien's hometown of Crow's Nest, Alberta. This camp helps the younger generation of kids learn about hockey and be able to talk to an NHL player or two. The funds raised from this event went to the Rick Rypien Foundation.
Now, with the NHL lockout looming ahead, Bieksa has spoken out about another charity that has his heart. He has joined forces with Chris Neil and Mike Fisher on the importance of lending our hand to the plight of West Africa on behalf of World Vision. If the NHL lockout comes to fruition, his plans are to head to West Africa and see for himself the devastation the food crisis has brought and to help in any way he can to bring awareness to the problem.
Here is the advertisement from World Vision staring all NHL players mentioned.
Here is a behind-the-scenes look at why Bieksa is touched by this.
I hope Bieksa continues to grow in leaps and bounds as he is already. There's a reason I like him and his face can only take him so far. You're a good man, Bieksa!
No comments:
Post a Comment