Penticton hockey dad and photographer Tony Veltri received support from Town of Osoyoos council Monday after making a solid presentation about his Pay it Forward Community Initiative. Minor hockey players across the South Okanagan will receive a package from Veltri, including a copy of his new book 50 Years in the Making, and will perform a minimum of five hours of community service in return. (Keith Lacey photo)
A Penticton hockey dad and photographer is using Canada’s national passion for hockey to improve communities across the South Okanagan, including here in Osoyoos.
Tony Veltri, who is the owner of Maximum Exposure Photography in Penticton, has launched the 2014 Pay It Forward Community Initiative, which encourages young hockey players across the South Okanagan to volunteer for community work and “pay it forward” to improving the lives of others.
Following a presentation to Town of Osoyoos council on Monday, councillors voted to support a “silver level” sponsorship package to support Veltri’s unique project.
They will split the $1,995 (plus taxes) costs with the Town of Oliver Parks and Recreation Society. Each will sponsor one South Okanagan Minor Hockey Association minor hockey team in their respective community.
Members from that team will agree to perform a minimum of five hours of community service work.
In exchange, each player will receive a copy of Veltri’s book called 50 Years in the Making, which highlights the 2011-12 hockey season where the Penticton Vees won the national Junior A hockey championship.
Each player will also receive a plaque, which will identify the team’s sponsor, in this case being the Town of Osoyoos.
Also, the name of sponsors will appear in newspaper advertising and players will send thank you letters to the team sponsor.
A framed picture of the 2012 national champion Vees squad will also be included in the package.
Former Vancouver Canucks goaltender Kirk McLean and current NHL superstar Shea Weber have agreed to be part of an instructional video that will be included in the package given to the young hockey players, said Veltri.
Set to officially launch in a couple of weeks in early September, almost 900 players from 51 teams are now enrolled in the Pay It Forward initiative, said Veltri.
These young people will generate a minimum of 4,300 hours of community service.
Hockey Canada, Penticton Minor Hockey Association, Summerland Minor Hockey Association and the South Okanagan Minor Hockey Association have endorsed this initiative, said Veltri.
Each player from the team selected will spend at least five hours of community work on projects that might include helping a neighbor, spending time with seniors or veterans, cleaning a park, maintaining community trails or assisting at the local animal shelter, he said.
All players will be asked to document their community work during their experiences and the number of hours volunteered will be recorded on the website promoting this initiative.
This project will encourage young hockey players to set goals, appreciate a solid work ethic, teamwork and the importance of community volunteerism, said Veltri.
It will also teach life skills and critical thinking and allow players to determine what gifts and talents they can share with others and put into action as young hockey players, he said.
It will also increase self-esteem and motivation and encourage youth to believe in their capacity to take action and get involved in their community, he said.
“Those who go beyond the call of duty will be recognized,” he said.
For many of the young hockey players, this will be their first community volunteer experience and he’s confident many will continue to give back and pay it forward after they graduate from minor hockey.
A portion of book proceeds will benefit numerous non-profit organizations in the South Okanagan.
Copies of 50 Years in the Making have been selling well across Canada and he’s also sold dozens outside of the country, said Veltri.
The wonderful game of hockey has helped positively shape the lives of millions of young Canadians over the years and having minor hockey players get involved in community improvement programs is a great way to further benefit them, said Veltri.
While it has taken a lot of time and effort to produce the book and put this project together, Veltri said he’s loved every minute of it.
“It really has been a labour of love,” he said. “This book is dedicated to the parents of hockey players, but the whole idea is to keep kids safe. You keep kids out of trouble by keeping them busy and that’s what this project is all about.”
Mayor Stu Wells praised Veltri for publishing the book and introducing a program that will benefit young hockey players and communities across the South Okanagan.
If anyone has any more information about the program or Veltri’s book, they can contact him at 250-770-1604 or 250-487-8433.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
