Tuesday, March 26, 2013

BRANDON WHEAT KINGS: Reaching Out To The Community

Press Release

 Brandon, Manitoba – The Western Hockey League’s Brandon Wheat Kings are pleased to announce that close to $6,000 was raised in two Community Outreach programs during the 2012-13 regular season.

In addition to generating over $4,700 in this year’s Westman Dreams for Kids Campaign, Big Brothers and Sisters of Brandon will soon be receiving a cheque from ScotiaMcLeod as a result of this year’s Saves for Kids Program.

The Wheat Kings scored 189 goals this past season, helping to raise money and profile for the Westman Dreams for Kids Foundation, which was formed in 1991 to help make dreams come true for western Manitoba children suffering from life threatening diseases.

"Goals for Kids" was established the following year and has raised over $300,000 since that time.

As in past years, several local businesses served as corporate sponsors this year. Each time, the Wheat Kings scored a goal or Brandon recorded a shutout, these sponsors would donate at least $25 to the Foundation.

The Westman Dreams for Kids Foundation is a non-profit, local registered organization dedicated to granting dreams to seriously ill children throughout western Manitoba.

Among the local businesses participating in this year's program were Crocus Credit Union, C & C Construction, Brandon Source for Sports, Paterson Patterson Wyman and Abel, Morningstar Metal, EMCO Waterworks, Dr. Brian Kiliwnik, Precision Toyota, Roy Johnston and Co., J & G Homes, Forbidden Flavours, Wheat City Roofing, Mobile One Marine, Total Eye Care, Advance Auto Body, Jason Kreiser of the Keystone Centre, Al Rosendaal of Investors Group and NAPA.

Roblin’s Jayce Hawryluk, the Wheat Kings MNP Rookie of the Year, led the team with eighteen goals this season, followed by Eric Roy and Tim McGauley with 17 each and current Spokane Chiefs left-winger Alessio Bertaggia with sixteen. The Swiss sniper was leading the club in scoring when he was traded to the Western Conference in January.

As Canada’s leading child and youth mentoring charity, Big Brothers Big Sisters facilitates life-changing relationships that inspire and empower children and youth to reach their potential, both as individuals and citizens.The Brandon Big Brothers agency was incorporated as a charitable organization in 1972, with a more representative amalgamation to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Brandon occurring in 1981.Big Brothers and Sisters of Brandon is an independent agency that is governed by a board of directors.

In addition to this year’s Goals and Saves for Kids campaigns, the hockey club partnered with PhysioFirst to help raise money for several local charities through their Saturday night Chuck-a-Puck events. Among the many charities to benefit this year were the Brandon Kidney Foundation, Food for Thought, KidSport, Funds for Furry Friends, the Ashley Neufeld Softball Complex, Sea Cadets, Manitoba Special Olympics and Waves of Hope Brandon.

(Nathan can be reached at nathanfournier@mainehockeyjournal.com)

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