Gotelaer Skates From Windsor To London With Purpose

Val Gotelaer recently roller bladed from Windsor to London, completing the trek in three segments from last Thursday to Saturday. Gotelaer, a Ridgetown resident, and grade 10 student at Ridgetown District High School, completed the skate in memory of Ian Jenkins, with his personal motto, “Have A Purpose,” in mind, and to raise money for local charities.

Jenkins, a goalie, tragically passed away shortly after being drafted by the London Knights in 2011. Gotelaer chose to skate from Windsor to London, to represent the route Jenkins would have taken in Canada, as the Ypsilanti, Michigan resident travelled to the London Knights.

Gotelaer became very interested in Ian’s story a couple of years ago and has tried to live up to his motto “Have a Purpose.” When Gotelaer saw how much she was impacted by his untimely death and the foundation created after, she and her family attended a fundraising event for the Big “E” Foundation in Ypsilanti.

From there, a friendship with the Jenkins family ensued, in particular, Ian’s father who encouraged and motivated Val to enjoy hockey and all sports and to live with a purpose. Gotelaer decided to honour Ian’s memory, she would take a personal quest, skating the distance from Windsor to London.

“When I first found out about Ian’s story, it really inspired and touched me,” said Gotelaer. “When our family got the chance to go to one of the fundraisers for the Big E Foundation, I met Ian’s father Joel and being able to talk to him in person was really special.”

“Ever since we came in contact, the Big E Foundation and Ian’s motto “Have a Purpose” has became a big part of my life. I really wanted to show how much it has meant to me, so I decided that I wanted to do something to give back. The reason I picked Windsor to London is to represent Ian’s journey from his point of entering Canada to Budweiser Gardens where he would have played.”

After some friends and family found out about Gotelaer’s trek, donations started coming in. Gotelaer decided to aim the funds both at the Big E Foundation, and upon the request of some Chatham-Kent residents who wanted to support her skate, at a local charity, A.L.L. For Kids which provides athletic opportunities and funding to low income families, and represents the same philosophies as the Big E Foundation.

Gotelaer, who plays for the Kent County Fillies Hockey Association, and has volunteered with Ridgetown Minor Hockey Association and the Ridgetown Figure Skating Club on the ice helping with skills, broke her skate into three segments, each more than 20km long, so that she could complete the trek and still attend classes. This past summer, Gotelaer was employed by Chatham-Kent Recreation department as a Junior Recreation Staff. To date Gotelaer has raised roughly $400 for the two charities and is still looking to collect more.

Donations can be made by mailing cheques payable to A.L.L. for Kids to
P.O. Box 1449
Ridgetown
N0P 2C0
or given directly to the Gotelaer family.