Since day one of Seth’s broadcast journey, his main goal was always to give back to the community. If you know Seth at all, you know that he wants to help everyone, all at once. However, with the launch of his website and merchandise store, Seth believes that he is finally in a position to contribute in a very real and personal way. Therefore, he decided to raise funds for four causes that are very near and dear to his heart to kick off this aspect of his Seth Hyde Sport Side platform. This is the magic for Seth.
Seth will donate 100% of the proceeds from his Merchandise sales towards the following:
James (Jamie) Hynes - Multiple Myeloma
When the Hynes family found out that Jamie had multiple myeloma in 2017, a type of cancer that usually occurs in the elderly, it was a huge shock. Not just to them, but to everyone who knew him. Jamie was a young athletic husband and father who always welcomed you with his trademark grin. He played many sports and excelled at all of them. It just came naturel to him. His son, Cole, has always been a dear friend and classmate of mine since kindergarten, and I can assure you that Jamie is living on in him, from his innate athletic instinct to his incredible likeness, right down to the grin.
I always looked forward to talking to Jamie about hockey at the rink or during pick ups and drop offs at Vanier. He was always such a nice, fun dad who would join Cole and I in the backyard and play whatever sport we were into at the time. Jamie was always sporting that smile that would warm your heart in an instant.
My memories of Jamie are also tightly tied to the Avalon Celtics Hockey Association because that is the league that Cole and I grew up playing in, with our dads watching on from behind the glass. This is a memory that also has tremendous meaning for Cole. They were always at the rink together and loved every moment of it. Therefore, I will recognize Jamie’s incredible contribution to sports, his immeasurable love of his family and friends, his courageous battle against cancer and his indelible spirit with the donation of the Hardest Worker Award for both divisions of the U9 Novice Select Hockey Tournament hosted by the Avalon Celtics. These two awards will be awarded annually and will consist of a plague for each winner, as well as a monetary prize. The winner’s names will also be engraved on the James Hynes Memorial Trophy for the Hardest Working Player, featuring a picture of Cole and Jamie on the ice, in their hockey gear. A fond memory and fitting memorial. This trophy will stay with the Avalon Celtics and two new names will be engraved each year. This will be our celebration of Jamie on the East Coast where he settled in to raise his family.
Jamie’s family and friends from home hold the annual Jamie Hynes Memorial Hockey Tournament in his honor every year in his hometown of Harbour Breton, as well as present two scholarships (1 male, 1 female) in his name for the ‘Grit Award’ at his alma mater, King Academy. Despite Jamie losing his battle with Multiple Myeloma in 2021, his courage throughout his battle was awe-inspiring. His true legacy is his beautiful family: wife, Crystal; son, Cole; daughter, Ella and all the people who had the pleasure to know this wonderful man. While he is dearly missed, he is forever in our hearts.
Poppy Smith - Dementia/Alzheimer's
Long before I was born, my family lived through the Dementia/Alzheimer’s diagnosis of many precious loved ones, including my mom’s aunts, uncle, grandfathers and great-grandmother, all of whom have passed on. In August of 2020, my Pop Smith (Wayne) was officially diagnosed with Dementia. While it was a devastating diagnosis, I make the most of every single second that I have with him.
We share a deep love of hockey and he is a huge Maple Leafs fan. He actually remembers watching them win the cup on TV in 1967 and has been a diehard fan since the 50s. His dedication has never wavered, even in the face of Dementia. Pop Smith is one of the main reasons I’ve gotten into hockey, enjoy it so much, and became a Maple Leafs fan. He also played “back in the day” with the Clarenville Caribous and his picture hangs on the wall of the Eastlink Events Centre in Clarenville to this day. I fondly call him, ‘the Golden Jet’ based on the blonde hair that he sported in those early days and the shared stories of his speed on the ice, capitalizing on his small stature.
As you can imagine, we have a lot to talk about when it comes to hockey and we spend many hours doing just that. He’s been so supportive of me ever since I can remember, but nothing seems to bring him as much joy as watching my broadcasts. Him and nan have not missed a single game since I started in 2021. Knowing how much he enjoys this, when not much seems to keep his interest these days, makes me extremely proud. Truthfully, it is hard to put it into words. Therefore, I will continue to make these memories with my pop as long as Dementia will allow and make a donation at the end of my broadcast season to the Alzheimer’s Society of Newfoundland and Labrador in memory of all of our family members who have gone before us.
My Rose Family - Multiple Sclerosis (MS)
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) affects a staggering 1 in every 400 people in Canada and my family is a part of that statistic.
A Multiple Sclerosis (MS) diagnosis has touched my family through my dad’s two aunts and cousin, with two of them losing their battles in 2010 and 2013, while my other great aunt continues her MS journey and is one of the toughest and most resilient people I know. She is a true inspiration to me and consistently demonstrates how important it is to have a positive attitude.
Vanier Elementary and MacDonald Drive Junior High - Kids Eat Smart Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador
In Canada a staggering 2 million kids go to school with an empty stomach, and that is 2 million kids too many.
As a current student in the K-12 system, I have witnessed first hand how deeply beneficial the access to food provided by the Kids Eat Smart Foundation is to students of all ages. I am sure that the inclusive and non-judgemental Breakfast Clubs I participated in at both of my previous schools, Vanier Elementary and MacDonald Drive Junior High, are an indication of the remarkable work that is being done in all the participating schools across Newfoundland and Labrador each and every weekday morning. The community of volunteers that make this program possible are to be commended. As a result of their dedication, and the generosity of donations from fellow Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, school age children are well nourished and ready to learn.