The Hamilton Hurricanes took a major step in the right direction on the field this season getting back to the Ontario Conference championship game.  Impressively this didn’t hinder their incredible community service and have been named the CJFL Rick Smoke Community Service winners for the third consecutive season.

President Mike Samuel and the Board of Directors challenged the players, the coaching staff and themselves to do even more in 2025 and they responded.   As a franchise they volunteered a combined 3,000 hours in the community participating in several events across the city. 

Some of the highlights include:

Hamilton Out of the Cold – the team set up a local grocery store and collected over 2,000lbs of non-perishable food items and over $2,000 in cash donations over a weekend.  Players volunteered at weekly BBQs that aided people experiencing homelessness in the city. The organization is welcome to set up at each home game where they can collect more donations from the fans. Furthermore, the team donated approximately $2,000 from their home opener proceeds to the organization. 

Food 4 Kids – the players and coaching staff pack lunches every Wednesday for those kids in need and volunteered at 11 different Tim Hortons locations, decorating Smile Cookies in support of Food 4 Kids.

Hamilton Beach Cleanup – over 20 players spent eight hours each to volunteer their time to cleanup Hamiltons beaches in June. 

Around The Bay and Moon in June Road Races – the players were on site of both races handing out refreshments, medals and being Race Marshall's. Portions of proceeds were given to St Joseph's Healthcare in Hamilton and the Halton Children’s Aid Society. 

BGC Hamilton - the Hurricanes franchise participated in the Hamilton Ticats 50/50 draw at home games where they raised $25,000. The team also held a skills camp for over 30 young boys and girls at their practice facility, treating all participants to a T-shirt and a BBQ lunch.

Oakville Polar Bear Dip – head coach Barry Emo participated on January 1, 2025, with proceeds donated to World Visions Clean Drinking Water Program.

Finally, the Ticats held the First Annual Ted Goveia Bowl at Hamilton Stadium in honour of former Ticats GM Ted Goveia, where over $2,000 was raised for the Canadian Cancer Society.

“Football is what brings us all together,” says Samuel. “Giving back to our community shows our players that we can collectively make a difference.”

For the inspiring community service again in 2025, the Hamilton Hurricanes are the recipients of the CJFL Rick Smoke Team Award for outstanding community service.  Congratulations to the Hurricanes and thank you for making the Hamilton community a better place.