Two long-running efforts fuse in season of giving
Once each year, one of Canada’s most storied basketball tournaments bounces into Saskatoon for a few wild days.
The Bedford Road Invitational Tournament — or BRIT, as we all call it — celebrates its 50th anniversary when it runs Jan. 11-13, and as part of the run-up, they’re providing a boost to Sporting Christmas.
BRIT’s been around since 1968 and Sporting Christmas since 1976, so it just makes sense to bring those long-running Saskatoon institutions together.
This coming Tuesday, Dec. 19, they’ll hold three play-in games, providing the six top-ranked teams in Saskatoon a chance to compete for a BRIT berth. If you win, you’re in, and as part of the festivities, they’re taking up a collection for Sporting Christmas during those three games.
There will be no admission charge, but those who attend get a chance to support our efforts to aid the Salvation Army with its Christmas hamper program.
Those Tuesday games at Bedford Road will be played at 5:15 p.m. (Aden Bowman vs. Marion Graham), 6:45 p.m. (St. Joseph vs. Bethlehem) and 8:15 p.m. (Holy Cross vs. Bishop Mahoney).
Thanks to the BRIT crew for jumping to the aid of the less fortunate in our midst: Every penny they raise that night will go to the Salvation Army’s Christmas hamper program.
Donations continue to pour in as Christmas moves closer.
Jean Dahl remembers “my husband Emil Dahl, who was an armchair sports fan, and also my son Brian Dahl, who was involved in many sports.”
Enns and Associates donates “in honour of my dear parents, George and Anna Enns, my brother Henry, sister Helen Rademaker and my dear daughter Heather. They have all left an incredible legacy!”
Today, Janet Beck is “remembering deceased family members: Parents Herman and Lorraine Suer, sister Karen Willis and brotherin-law John Kurja. We were a sports-loving family and I miss them all.”
Terry McAdam remembers “Stan McAdam (my dad), a smalltown sports enthusiast who loved the rink and ball diamond.”
Dave Balon sends a gift, and a timely reminder: “Once again,” he writes, “it’s our pleasure to make our yearly donation to this great cause. A reminder that a great gift and legacy for a loved one can be made by purchasing a seat from the Friends of the Bowl at SMF Field. Funds are still required for this outstanding development.”
The Sundog Arts Society supports us every year, and we also thank every person whose donation is listed below.
Here’s three ways to donate:
Visit www.thestarphoenix.com/ ■ sportingchristmas
Stop by the StarPhoenix (204 ■
Fifth Ave. N.), either at our front desk, or use the slot inside the front doors.
Mail to: Sporting Christmas c/o ■
The StarPhoenix
204 Fifth Ave. North, Saskatoon, SK.
S7K 2P1
Thanks to today’s Santas:
Memory of Lynn Heppler from ■ her No. 1 fan: $100
Memory of my brothers, from ■
Betty Ferster: $100
Katherine and Meroslav Davyduke: ■ $200
Loving memory of Dean Ross, ■ a dear husband, father and papa, from Lynn and family: $50
Loving memory of Guy Kelly and ■
Fran Slater and our good friends Betty and Bob Pearson, from Gladys and Maynard: $150
Memory of a dear friend Russell ■
Boe from Greg and El: $100
Memory of Emil Dahl and Brian ■
Dahl from Jean Dahl and family: $75
Memory of Moe, Bro, Mac and ■
Kerry: $100
Memory of Len and Larry, from ■ the family: $100
Memory of our dad Mac Savage ■
Sr., from Bob and Sandra Savage: $100
Sundog Arts Society: $300
■
Memory of John and Ron ■
Deutscher from your family: $150
Memory of my father Frank from ■ Tim Herback: $100
Kathy and Bob Burnyeat: $100 ■
Memory of John Keehborn from ■
Warren: $100
Oleniuk Family: $100
■
Memory of Gordon Wheler, ■
Mac and Alvie Hamilton, Ann and Ted Christenson from Kathleen Wheler: $100
Memory of Gramma, Gen and ■
Bill: $50
Memory of Darren Schellenberg, ■ love from Mom and Arnie: $100
Dick Hoffman: $100
■
Memory of our parents Marge ■ and Jules Michasiw and Bunee and Ken Rowley, with love from Bonnie and Rick Rowley: $100
Anonymous: $100
■
Memory of Roy, Edna and Brian ■
Moore from the Moore family: $75
Greenbryre Golf bus trips: $400 ■
Loving memory of Audree Gervais ■ and grandson Sean Neufeld from Andy Gervais and family: $100
Memory of my dad Mike from ■
David Dmytriw: $200
Memory of Gordon Turner, Tom ■
Bruce, Joffre Turner and Dustin MacIver from Pamela Turner: $50
Memory of Terry “Scrapper” ■
Graff from Patrick Jarrett: $65
Memory of my dear parents ■
George and Anna Enns, my brother Henry, sister Helen Rademaker and dear daughter Heather, from Enns and Associates: $100
Memory of Mel Beal from Bill ■
Armstrong and Marie Kemmer: $100
Anita Schmid: $50
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Remembering deceased family ■ members: Parents Herman and Lorraine Suer, sister Karen Willis and brother-in-law John Kurja, from Janet Beck: $30
Memory of Maureen Gilmour ■ from Richard Gilmour: $100
Memory of Verna Miller from ■
Crystal Thompson: $50
Loving memory of Erin and Marilyn ■ Brown from Ross: $100
Memory of Stan McAdam from ■
Terry McAdam: $100
Memory of Judy Kocourek from ■
Skip and Diana Wright: $200
Dave Balon: $100
■
Today’s total: $4,295
TOTAL TO DATE: $34,978.20