How it all started

In late 1999, John Lekas, proprietor of Sgt. Pepperoni Restaurant in Kirkland, was wondering how to make better use of the ice-making machine at the back of the restaurant.  John had been a supporter of the efforts of Ken and Sharon on behalf of the Montreal Children's Hospital since 1987 --- even before the Fund became an official entity, and was already a sponsor of the Sian Bradwell Softball Tournament as supplier of pizzas.  Always innovative, he came up with the idea of raising extra monies for the Sian Bradwell Fund by offering the teams in the Kirkland Men's and Ladies' SlowPitch Leagues a bucket of ice for a minimum donation of $2.00.  The Kirkland teams responded wonderfully, contributing $830.00  in 2000, and, thanks to sports teams from all over the West Island who now participate, thousands of dollars been raised since then.  "It's just water!" says John, modestly.

Kerry and John Lekas