Marcus Kearsey Partners with Big Brother Big Sisters PEI to Launch Kearsey's Kids
September 28, 2023 - Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League (QMJHL)
Charlottetown Islanders News Release
Marcus Kearsey is in his sophomore season with the club. He's taking the initiative to partner with Big Brother Big Sisters of P.E.I., kickstarting the program; Kearsey's Kids.
This program will welcome kids who may be unable to attend Islanders games free of cost. They will be Marcus's special guests, meet with the team, sit on the bench during warmups, have a one-on-one visit, and receive a limited edition Kearsey's Kids t-shirt and poster.
"It's important that we give back to the kids and make sure the community is welcomed by the Islanders organization," Kearsey said. "I think it's a circle of just good and positive things with this program."
Kearsey wants the kids to enjoy themselves when they come to Islanders games.
"It's going to be a bunch of fun, that's what we're here for."
The program wouldn't be possible without Big Brothers Big Sisters of P.E.I. Their organization has been providing life-changing mentoring for over 100 years and in 2016, we're named one of Financial Post's top 25 charities.
Big Brothers Big Sisters helps kids nationwide who struggle with societal barriers. They help kids with detrimental living conditions, identity challenges, school issues, etc.
"Our vision is that all young people realize their full potential, and we are trying to enable life-changing mentoring relationships to ignite the power and potential of young people," said Big Brother Big Sisters Communications and Development Manager, Kieran Goodwin.
The program offers experiences kids otherwise wouldn't have. Kids would have valuable one-on-one time with their mentor and they will have an opportunity to be a child, Goodwin said.
They are excited Kearsey has agreed to partner with them.
"Big Brothers Big Sisters of PEI are absolutely thrilled that Marcus decided to reach out to us," Goodwin said. "We believe it shows how much community means to Marcus and for him to give back."
Kearsey was drafted in the first round of the 2022 QMJHL Entry Draft and is playing in his second season with the Charlottetown Islanders. After being named the QMJHL Rookie Defenseman of the Year and being a positive influence in the locker room, Kearsey was named an associate captain going into the new season.
https://twitter.com/IslandersHKY/status/1581732617400987648?s
"It's pretty special, not only to just play for this organization but to be recognized as a leader," he said. "At the end of the day, I will try to be the best leader I can regardless of the letter."
Islanders Head Coach and General Manager, Jim Hulton, is happy with the leadership Kearsey presents.
"It's exciting for a young player to be worthy of a letter in junior hockey but Marcus certainly has earned it," he said. "To know that he is probably the future captain of this team, it's probably reassuring to all of us."
Hulton always looks forward to having the kids be a part of the team.
"Well, we're really excited to welcome them. We consider them all a part of the team," he said. "The kids programs are a real treat for not just the kids involved but probably even more so for the players and the staff that get to share our experiences with them and we're really excited that Marcus is taking on this initiative."
You can support Big Brothers Big Sisters P.E.I. by donating on their website here. There, you can also find volunteer forms that you can fill out and become Big Brother or Big Sister.
Marcus and the Islanders return to the ice Friday night at 7:30 p.m. at Eastlink Centre Charlottetown when they take on the Moncton Wildcats. Tickets are on sale now at the Eastlink Centre Box Office, by phone at 902-629-6625, or online.
Quebec Maritimes Junior Hockey League Stories from September 28, 2023
- Marcus Kearsey Partners with Big Brother Big Sisters PEI to Launch Kearsey's Kids - Charlottetown Islanders
- Weekend Road Trip to New Brunswick - Halifax Mooseheads
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
