Mark McMorris sending sporting equipment to La Loche in wake of shooting

Mark McMorris hopes the power of sports can provide some help to a Saskatchewan community.

Not only is the Saskatchewan snowboarder dedicating his performance at the X-Games this weekend to the La Loche, he and his team are also working to send sporting equipment to the area.

“(We hope) to ease everybody’s minds and get them back in the game and get sports on everybody’s mind,” McMorris told the Green Zone on Monday afternoon.

McMorris is hopeful that the gear will not only help La Loche now but into the future as well.

“Get kids to learn life lessons through sports. That keeps everybody out of trouble. Sports are so valuable,” he said.

Naturally, McMorris will be sending snowboards to the community but also hockey gear and whatever else they think would be appropriate.

McMorris returned to North America over the weekend after some time in Europe and it didn’t take long for him to learn of the terrible events that occurred in La Loche.
 
“It’s an extremely sad thing that happened. It doesn’t seem like that should ever happen in Canada, let alone Saskatchewan,” he said.

“I just want to do everything I can to help those people out.”

McMorris admitted that he is still shock over the events.

“I don’t think anything could be worse to go through. Nobody deserves that. It’s just super sad.”

The shootings have come up in conversation with McMorris and his fellow snowboarders. That’s how he came up with the idea to dedicate his performance this weekend.

Sending my love and condolences to #LaLoche. I am dedicating my performances at @xgames this week in support of the community.

— Mark McMorris (@markmcmorris) January 25, 2016

At this point, McMorris hasn’t decided if he will be wearing anything special to honour La Loche during his events in Aspen, Colorado.

McMorris just hopes that everyone sees Saskatchewan as a good place.

“It’s just such a tight community of people wanting to help others. We can only move on and just try and talk about it and make sure kids realize we live in an amazing place. It’s a safe place and it should stay that way.”