NEWS RELEASE: Hockey Helps Kids Charity Cup Launches
Voting begins today, runs until March 20
(Edmonton, AB) – School spirit was on full display this afternoon as close to 2,000 Junior High students ascended on Rexall Place to celebrate the official launch of the Hockey Helps Kids Charity Cup. The philanthropic initiative of Chloe and Harrison Katz, Hockey Helps Kids is an exciting new initiative to raise awareness and funds for a variety of local charities, and strengthen the relationship between the Oilers and the community.
“When we came up with the idea for Hockey Helps Kids, we wanted to share our love of community, and obviously hockey, with kids our own age,” said Harrison Katz. “We’ve been really excited by the reaction from the students and are very impressed with their projects.”
“It’s been so much fun to watch their progress, from choosing their charity through to the awesome videos they showcased today,” added Chloe Katz.
In its inaugural year, four local schools – A. Blair McPherson, Florence Hallock, Killarney and Riverbend – teamed up with four Oilers players – Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Connor McDavid and Jordan Eberle – to compete in a unique Charity Cup Challenge and ultimately help make a difference in our community.
Through research, interviews and the collection of data, each school selected a local non-profit organization to support. With help from their Oilers “captain”, each school developed a video pitch which launched on the scoreboard for all students to enjoy.
“Since launching this new initiative this past fall, we’ve been working closely with the students to help them bring their ideas to life and ultimately foster a sense of pride and engagement in their community,” said Natalie Minckler, Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation Executive Director. “It’s been inspiring to watch their video pitches and we look forward to helping them support their charities.”
The pitches will be promoted during Oilers games and online during the month of March and fans will be able to vote for their favourite team/pitch.
The school with the most votes at the end of the Charity Cup Challenge will win $25,000 for their designated charity. The three runners-up will also receive $10,000 for their charities of choice, and all four schools will receive $5,000 for their participation in the program.
For more information on Hockey Helps Kids and to vote for your school/charity of choice, please visit HockeyHelpsKids.com.
A. Blair McPherson
Oilers Captain: Taylor Hall
Charity: Ronald MacDonald House – Northern Alberta
Florence Hallock
Oilers Captain: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
Charity: iHuman Youth Society
Killarney
Oilers Captain: Connor McDavid
Charity: Zebra Child Protection Centre
Riverbend
Oilers Captain: Jordan Eberle
Charity: Edmonton Public Schools Foundation
To view the team videos and to vote, visit: HockeyHelpsKids.com/vote.
For more information contact:
Andrea Goss
Manager, Corporate Communications
Edmonton Oilers Hockey Club
(780) 566-8988
agoss@edmontonoilers.com