Hockey Helps Kids announces fourth NHL Season

June 19, 2018
admin

(Edmonton, AB) – The Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation (EOCF) announced today the return of Hockey Helps Kids for a fourth year as a key program for the Edmonton Oilers 2018-19 National Hockey League (NHL) season. This exciting philanthropic initiative brings together local junior high schools, charities and the Edmonton Oilers to give youth a chance to learn about being active, contributing members in their communities, while generating awareness and funds for a variety of local charities.




A Hockey Helps Kids panel, which included Hockey Helps Kids co-founders, Chloe and Harrison Katz, past student and teacher participants from Mary Butterworth and D.S. Mackenzie schools, EOCF staff and Hockey Helps Kids Educational Consultant Sandra Woitas, vetted submissions from schools across Edmonton. After a rigorous review, four schools were selected to participate, and congratulations goes to Sister Annata Brockman, Hilwie Hamdon, S. Bruce Smith and École Dickinsfield for being chosen to compete in the Hockey Helps Kids Charity Cup Challenge for the 2018-19 season.

“S. Bruce Smith Junior High School is humbled and honoured to have an opportunity to take part in the next season of Hockey Helps Kids. Our deepest hope is that we can not only make a real difference in the lives of those who are supported by our chosen charity, but also, that the very process can make a meaningful change in the lives of all of our students and our larger school community,” said S. Bruce Smith Principal Brent McKeown.

Hockey Helps Kids, co-founded by Chloe and Harrison Katz, children of Edmonton Oilers Chairman Daryl Katz and his wife Renee, is funded by the Katz family and administered by the EOCF. The Foundation helps connect the Katz children with the four local Edmonton junior high schools and four Oilers players, who serve as team captains and assist each school in learning about community service.

Each year, the winning school receives $25,000 for their chosen charity and each of the runner-up teams receive a participation award of $10,000 for their charity. Last season, Mary Butterworth School, captained by Oilers forward Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, took home the 3rd annual Hockey Helps Kids Charity cup with the most votes for Dogs with Wings. Dogs with Wings is dedicated to changing lives for the better by fostering integration and independence for Albertans with disabilities by providing them with highly trained assistance dogs and aftercare.

“We have been amazed by the creativity and dedication students have shown in their projects over the last three years, and each year tops the last. We’ve chosen four passionate schools to participate in 2018-19 and we’re looking forward to seeing all that they accomplish for their chosen charities,” said Chloe Katz.

“Each year, this program grows and expands as more students get involved and become inspired,” added Harrison Katz. “The impact these students have goes beyond their classrooms and schools, leaving a lasting mark on the community in Edmonton and on the students themselves.”

More details on this year’s Hockey Helps Kids program, including team captains, will be announced when the program launches in the fall.

For more information on Hockey Helps Kids, please visit HockeyHelpsKids.com, download the Oilers Mobile App or check out Hockey Helps Kids on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.