Calgary Welcome!

Calgary Sun -  Former Flame Brad Marsh pedals hope for kid. Article here

Calgary Flames and Talisman representatives join kids
at the BGC in northeast Calgary for a group photo
and cheque presentation
Photo by Calgary Sun

Calgary Herald - Beloved former Flames captain 'Marshy' rides for Boys and Girls Clubs. Article here

Former Calgary Flames captain Brad Marsh arrives at the
Calgary Boys and Girls Clubs Thursday as part of his cross-
country fundraising bicycle journey
Photo by Ted Rhodes, Calgary Herald

Why Donate to the Boys and Girls Club

Brad Marsh with BGC Renfrew Calgary Club kids receives donations
from Flames Foundation, Alumni & Talisman Energy

It’s not always easy being a kid. Add to that the growing list of negative influences kids face today and one might even say they have the odds stacked against them. Luckily for everyone kids are flexible and resilient. A lot of times all kids need is the chance to succeed and grow their confidence in themselves. Give a child the opportunity to play in a positive environment and watch their confidence grow.

During a floor hockey game at the Kimount Boys and Girls Club in Vancouver a boy, no older than 11, tells Canuck’s Alumni Bon Murray and I between shifts, “You and Bob play forward, I have a better shot than you so pass the puck back to me and I’ll score from the point.” Bob and I were both taken aback. I can’t speak for Bob but I was taken aback with the confidence this kid had. Would he have this confidence in himself had it not been for the floor hockey league at the Boys and Girls Club? I somehow doubt it.

The kind of confidence kids gain by playing and growing in such a positive atmosphere shapes them into their adult lives. This confidence is the key to developing the attitude that they can conquer any challenge whether it is in school, interacting with their peers or later, in their careers. I love seeing the smallest kid running to the center of the floor for the puck drop instead of waiting on the sidelines. I love seeing the girls participating and more than holding their own against the boys. I love being in an atmosphere without any putdowns or negativity.

The Boys and Girls Club needs your help to provide thousands of kids with the opportunity to live up to their potential. Donations of any size can make a big difference in a kid’s life. It might be sending a kid to camp or it might be providing a meal for a boy or girl who hasn’t had anything to eat all day. It could be sports equipment or academic resources, whatever the end result, it starts with your donations. All it took for me was a few minutes with the kids to see why our ride is necessary and more importantly why you need to donate to your local Boys and Girls Club. It may not be much to you but it can mean the world to a kid in your community. 

Evening at The Keg

Supporters Geoff Moore from Scotiabank
& Brian Bockstael of Coughlin 

With only days left until I saddle up and start peddling across Canada, it was nice to meet some key supporters of my bike ride across Canada in support of the Boys and Girls Club of Canada. The Keg Steakhouse in the Byward Market was kind enough to host a reception for this group to get together and mingle before my son Erik and I head out to Calgary to pick up our bikes.

It means a lot to me, the support I have already received and continue to receive as we countdown to what will be life on the road. This is my 8th 90 Day Challenge and I've been preparing for it for quite awhile now and am so pumped to put the foot to the peddle.

Brad Marsh with supporter Brian Hicks

I look forward to meeting all kinds of people along the route including those from all the different Boys and Girls Clubs, my NHL Alumni buddies, my new rocker friends (compliments of the JUNO Cup), ViSalus and you, my core supporters in every town I stop in.

Tomorrow is another big day with our press conference at the Boys and Girls Club in Ottawa. At that time we will also launch my Challenge video which I can't wait to share with everyone. Check back here at the blog and my Facebook page as the video will be uploaded there soon. I'll be curious to hear what you think and so invite you to drop me a line either here in the comments, on Facebook or on Twitter.

Thanks again and see you on the open road!