Craig Seibel poised to ‘steel’ the individual fundraising crown for Champions for Charity & MacKids
By Jeff Hicks
KITCHENER —
The Man of Steel melted into the Man of Mush.
A visit to McMaster Children’s Hospital as one of Mandy Bujold’s Champions for Charity fighting for MacKids has that wistful effect on he sturdiest of fundraisers and first-time fighters.
“Eye-opening and humbling,” said Craig Seibel, the 45-year-old owner of ACL Steel in Kitchener, after touring the hospital with other Champions for Charity.
“It definitely pulls at your heartstrings.”
The father of two healthy girls, Whitney is 10 and Olivia is soon to be 13, had his heartstrings plucked by 11-year-old Lincoln, the son of fellow Champion for Charity Michelle Clark.
The three all sat in the Cystic Fibrosis room with the head of the department that has helped keep video-game loving-Lincoln so funny and outgoing despite a progressive genetic disease that can cause severe damage to the lungs and digestive system.
“The head doctor knew them intimately,” said Seibel of the deep relationship between MacKids and Michelle and Lincoln.
“It was hard. It was touching. It was emotional. That was something I never would have known. What a cool kid. And the stuff they’ve gone through to keep him healthy and help him to be a happy and thriving. It’s a pretty awesome success story.”
A success story that is driving this 4th edition of the Champions to their fundraising goal of $1-Million dollars for MacKids — already surpassing $900,000 as April began.
And Seibel, who leads the steel fabrication company his dad Paul founded, is the top fundraiser of the 20 community leaders making their boxing debut in The Brawl at Tapestry Hall on April 24.
He has raised $140,000 of his $150,000 goal.
Either a lot of people want to see the Kitchener native get punched in the face or his two-fisted empathy is 10-gauge kryptonite to any villainly complacency.
The Man of Steel is a fundraising superhero and community-minded champion.
“I just know, deep down inside, I want to do the best I can for MacKids, my family and all the supporters out there.”
On fight night, his parents, Paul and Susan will be at sold-out Tapestry Hall.
His girls have a dance competition that weekend and will have to watch the livestream.
His sisters, Amy and Lindsay, will attend too. After all, ACL Steel is a family business named after the kids — Amy, Craig and Lindsay.
Craig is the the middle of it all. A Family of Steel surrounds him.
“We’ve got our name on lots of local steel in town.”
To support Craig, click here.
Our Champion Spotlight is brought to you by Lee Kieswetter Heavy Civil.
