Supports purchase of new helmets to improve player safety
Cumberland Councillor Stephen Blais is pleased to announce that he has kept another campaign promise, which is to donate the unaccountable city councillor car allowance to community groups in the East End. The first recipient of his donation is the Orléans Bengals football club.
“As a father of a young child and a former volunteer football coach, it is important to me that children are safe when playing sports,” says Blais. “I am pleased that my donation will help equip two entire football teams with Xenith helmets.”
Xenith football helmets – unlike traditional foam or urethane-linked helmets – use 18 thermoplastic shock absorbers shaped like hockey pucks to release air upon impact. The harder the hit, the more the impact force is minimized and like a car airbag, the speed in which the head moves inside the helmet is reduced.
The Orléans Bengals will be able to equip their entire Tyke (8-10 years) and Mosquito (11-12 years) football teams with the new helmets in 2012.
“The Orléans Bengals football club is extremely grateful to have a steadfast booster in Councillor Blais,” says Bengals President Dennis Prouse. “His generous donation will help improve the safety of our youngest players.”
Stephen has pledged to donate the unaccountable City Councillor car allowance every year this term because he believes Councillors shouldn’t be treated any differently than the coaches of our children’s sports teams, the members of parent councils, or other volunteers who pay their own transportation costs to make our communities better.
“I have been truly blessed in my life, which is why I have given to great causes in our community,” adds Blais. “It is my profound hope that my actions send an inspiring message to others about the importance giving.”
As Catholic School Trustee for Orléans and Cumberland Blais donated the 150% raise trustee’s voted themselves to a number of worthy causes. Blais established a yearly bursary to be awarded to a graduating student, in financial need, from an Orléans high school, supported cancer research through the Weekend to End Breast Cancer, the Ottawa School Breakfast Program, the Soldier On Fund and the Military Families Fund.