Gregor Robertson to Skate With Ex-NHLers for a Good Cause: Mayor lends his support to Hockey for the Homeless
February 9, 2009
VANCOUVER — Mayor Gregor Robertson will dust off his hockey equipment
and hit the ice along with former Vancouver Canucks greats and members of
the local business community in the city’s inaugural Hockey for the Homeless
tournament. This charity event takes place on Friday, February 20, at the
University of British Columbia’s Thunderbird Winter Sports Centre.
Hockey for the Homeless may be new to Vancouver, but it’s been an annual
tradition in Toronto since 1996 and in Montreal since 2004. Last year, Calgary
held its first tournament. So far, this national charity has raised more than
$2 million in aid of some 12,000 homeless people.
“The financial goal is to raise $75,000 to help the homeless in Vancouver,”
says organizing committee member Hugh Ker, a member of the Vancouver
business community. “But raising awareness is just as important, and we’re
very grateful that Mayor Robertson has decided to support our event.”
“It’s great to see Hockey for the Homeless come to Vancouver,” says Mayor
Robertson. “We’ve got a homeless crisis on our streets, and I relish the
opportunity to play hockey to raise money for our city’s top priority. My
teammates should be warned that I’m not as speedy as I used to be, but I’ll
get the job done in the corners.”
In addition to Mayor Robertson’s on-ice participation, Dr. Kerry Jang has
graciously agreed to be the guest speaker at the reception and dinner following
the tournament. Jang, a Vancouver city councillor and a UBC psychiatry
professor, is part of the Mayor’s Homelessness Emergency Action Team. The
reception and dinner will be held at Sage Bistro at University Centre, located
just a few minutes away from the Thunderbird Winter Sports Centre.
In keeping with the Hockey for the Homeless mission to end homelessness
in Canada, all proceeds from the tournament will go to fund specific homelessreintegration
projects and programs at a variety of Vancouver charitable
organizations.
For more information, please visit www.hockeyforthehomeless.com. Cash
donations will be gratefully accepted at the Thunderbird Winter Sports Centre
on February 20, and the public is invited to support Hockey for the Homeless
by stopping in to watch a game or two.
Vancouver Media Contacts:
Nick Rockel
604.730.2661
nrockel@shaw.ca
Kevin Quinlan
Office of the Mayor
778.995.2264