Details on a new charitable organization honouring the passing of 13-year-old hockey player Noah Dugas will be revealed Saturday afternoon after a unique ceremony.
Noah's parents Dave, Jody along with his sister Jorja Dugas, will join with community supporters and hockey officials from the North Bay & District Trappers AAA Hockey Association and The North Bay Minor Hockey Association on Saturday, October 23 at 1 p.m. at Memorial Gardens to retire Noah Dugas’ jersey (#71) and to announce the creation of the NoahStrong Charitable Organization – a group designed to carry on Noah’s legacy and spirit in a tangible way.
Noah Dugas’ medical challenges and subsequent passing captured local and international attention and resulted in an unprecedented outpouring of community support for the Dugas family. This support – which continues to this day – coupled with the wish to have some good come from this tragedy, have been the driving forces behind the creation of NoahStrong, and now the NoahStrong Charitable Organization.
But for Jody and Dave, Noah’s parents, and sister Jorja, it all comes down to their deep gratitude for the unbelievable support that they received in their time of crisis.
“We still can’t believe what people did for us during that time, and this organization is our way of thanking the community and trying to return the many acts of kindness and love," said Dave Dugas in a release.
“Noah was an incredibly passionate, kind and selfless young man”, added Jody Dugas, “And NoahStrong reflects the character and spirit of our son”.
In the year since Noah died at age 13, Jody and Dave, along with a group of seasoned community leaders, have laid the groundwork for the NoahStrong Charitable Organization (www.noahstrong.ca). Its mission is to honour Noah's legacy by supporting families and communities as it promotes, facilitates, and celebrates acts of kindness, selflessness, and resiliency in four key areas:
- Empowering Youth
- Organ Donation Awareness
- Supporting Families in Crisis
- Understanding Youth Stroke.
Noah, who passed away due to a stroke, died last November in a hospital in the GTA. After his passing seven of Noah's organs were donated to others in need.
Saturday’s event will start at 1 p.m. with the U15 AAA Trappers season opener against the U15 AAA Sudbury Nickel Capitals, followed by the on-ice jersey retirement ceremony.
"Please wear your hockey jersey or 7N1D apparel and remember that proof of vaccination is required," the release states.
For more information, please contact Denyse Lafrance-Horning, Chair of the NoahStrong Charitable Organization at [email protected]
