Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Saint John alumni events raise over $10,000 towards Children’s Wish Foundation

Press Release

SAINT JOHN – The Sea Dogs Foundation is proud to announce the Wallace McCain Memorial Alumni weekend raised enough money to grant a child's wish through the Children's Wish Foundation, NB Chapter.

More than twenty-five former players and staff participated in the game between the Saint John Sea Dogs Alumni and UNB Alumni, including fan favourites Brett Gallant, Jonathan Huberdeau and Mike Thomas.

The game, several auctions and a barbecue, raised over $10,000, with more to come through online auctions.

“Right now Children’s Wish is working on over 60 wishes across the province of New Brunswick, that’s 60 children right here at home between the ages of 3 and 17 diagnosed with a life threatening illness who will have their wish granted,” said Jason Ellsworth of the Children’s Wish Foundation. “Without the help of groups like the Sea Dogs Foundation putting on fundraising events like this it would be very difficult to fulfill our mission of granting a wish to every wish child.”

Sea Dogs Foundation board member and team vice-president Mike McGraw said Alumni weekend showed the pride that both former players and fans have in Saint John.

“Sea Dog players have a strong affinity for the city and organization and they and the fans want to make it an annual event,” McGraw said. “We look forward to the second annual Alumni weekend coming next August!”

“The Sea Dogs Foundation did an unbelievable job of putting this all together and the amount of work that was done in the planning was evident,” said Sea Dogs President Wayne Long. “Seeing the players back here was a thrill for all of us in the organization and the positive comments from them about their years playing here reinforces our organization as one the best in Major Junior Hockey.”

On top of raising enough funds to help grant a child’s wish, the Sea Dogs Foundation has also raised enough to make donations to the Top Corner Fund and the Brendon Oreto Foundation.

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

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