Frontenacs goalie named OHL Humanitarian of the Year
Kingston Frontenacs goaltender Mason Vaccari has been named the recipient of the OHL's Dan Snyder Memorial Trophy.
The award is given out to the player proclaimed as the OHL's Humanitarian of the Year, with Vaccari's efforts to raise money for the pediatric unit at Kingston Health and Sciences Centre (KHSC) leading to him being named the 2023-2024 winner.
Vaccari's initiative called 'Mason's Miracles' has raised over $12,000 for the pediatric unit at KHSC, with the idea being announced on July 30 ahead of the 2023-2024.
Vaccari pledged to donate 50 cents for every save he made during the season, and with 1458 saves to his name in 59 regular season games for the Fronts - the goaltender personally donated nearly $750 and also scheduled regular visits with patients in the pediatric wing.
Charette Custom Homes Inc. joined the effort by matching Vaccari's donations, in addition to making a donation every time the goalie was named one of the three stars of the game.
The Frontenacs posted a donation link on their website and promoted the initiative, which accounted for the rest of the over $12,000 raised, with the campaign initially aiming for $10,000 throughout the season.
In a release from the Frontenacs, Vaccari said he was honoured to receive the award, and happy to give back to a community that has become a home to him.
"When the idea of Mason’s Miracles first started, the goal was to give back to the community that has not only given myself, but my teammates as well, a home away from home," Vaccari said.
"I am very proud to have met and surpassed our goal of raising $10,000 for the Pediatrics Unit of Kingston General Hospital. I am confident that this money will go a long way to making a difference for children needing care at the hospital.”
Frontenacs GM Kory Cooper said the organization is proud of Vaccari, and while they try to stress the importance of being a leader in the community to all their players, their goaltender has gone above and beyond and is deserving of the honour.
"When players arrive in Kingston, we stress the importance of being involved in the community and being good people on and off the ice," Cooper said.
"Mason has taken that to the next level this season. He provides us with a great example of what players in our organization and our league can accomplish with their platform."
Mason's 1458 saves ranked fourth among OHL goalies, both helping to increase the amount donated and securing the Frontenacs into a spot.
Owen Fullerton, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, YGK News
