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Written by Joe Theriault
On a night of tribute to Don Sanderson everything went well. Over 1500 fans came in support of the Sanderson family.
 R to L ~Don & Gail Jackson, Dahna Sanderson (mother), Dave Jackson, Beth Ramsey, Michael Sanderson (father)
Donations poured in from other hockey associations, from fans around the globe through our website and from fans at tonight's game. NHL members came to show their support to the family. Walter Gretzky, who was recently named to the Order of Canada attended and the NHL announced that they would have a  2009 NHL All-Star jersey signed by the players on this year's All-Star team to be used in a silent auction in support of The Don Sanderson Fund.
A 35 minute tribute included the raising to the rafters a #40 Whitby Dunlop Jersey, the number that Don Sanderson wore, as a local grade 3 and 4 school band, Captain Micheal Vandenbos (named after one of The Snowbirds who lost his life in a plane crash) School Band, played Josh Grogan's hit song, and one of Don's favourites, "You Raise Me Up".
This was after the Highland Creek Band, with one of its members being former NHL star Glenn Healey, had performed. Mike Trenton, one of the Dunlops board members, read Edgar Guest's poem "I'll Lend You a Child".
I'll Lend You A Child
by Edgar Guest
"I'll lend you for a little time a child of mine," He said.
For you to love - while he lives
And mourn for when he's dead.
It may be six or seven years
Or twenty-two or three,
But will you, till I call him back,
Take care or him for Me?
He'll bring his smiles to gladden you,
And should this stay be brief
You'll have his lovely memories as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay,
Since all from earth return,
But there are lessons taught down there
I want this child to learn.
I've looked this world over
In search for teachers true,
And from the throngs that crowd
Life's lanes, I have selected you.
Now will you give him all your love,
Nor count the labor vain,
Nor hate Me when I come to call to
Take him back again?"
I fancied that I heard then say,
"Dear Lord, Thy will be done,
For all the joy Thy child shall bring,
The risk of grief we'll run.
We'll shelter him with tenderness,
We'll love him while we may,
And for the happiness we've known
Forever grateful stay.
But should the angels call for him
Much sooner than we've planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that come
And try to understand."
 ( L ~Capt Micheal Vandenbos School Band)
A former member of the 1958 World Champion Whitby Dunlops, Bobby Attersley, was on the ice for ceremony. Local dignitaries, including Whitby Mayor, Pat Perkins and the Fedral MP, Dean Del Mastro, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Sports were in attendance.
Video tributes were shown on a big screen that were produced by Go4Pro Video. One was sent by the Toronto Maple Leafs Hockey Club from the NHL and the other was from clips of video taken by Greg Akeson of Go4Pro. Members of Don's family stood at centre ice for the tribute. These included Don's mother, Dahna, his grand parents, Don and Gail Jackson, his uncle, Dave Jackson and his father's friend Beth Ramsey and Don's father, Michael.
An emotional five minute speech by Dahna Sanderson, Don's mom, capped off the tribute.
WATCH Video presention (Brian McNair~Whitby Oshawa This Week) & listen to Dahna's words
Once the puck dropped it was all business as the Dunlops poured it on and led 6-0 at one time before the Blast finally got on the board. Three point nights by 4 different Dunnies gave the hometown Dunlops a very balanced attack. Brad Harris had a strong showing with 2 goals and 1 assist, while his team mates, Peter MacKellar, Jay McAuley and Colin Baker came in with 1 goal and 2 helpers each. Kyle Mussleman cashed in with 2 goals on the night. Whitby was 2 for 5 on the powerplay and held Brantford to just 1 goal on the 9 opportunities they had.
The final was Whitby Dunlops 8 and Brantford Blast 2. Matt Balser stopped 33 of the 35 shots he faced.
The Dunlops had special round white emblems with "40 DS' in Don's honor on their jerseys.
Game Report
Photos on this page are courtesy of Ryan Colpitts
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