Wide range of support for Sporting Christmas
Their ligaments and bones might be a little more mature, shall we say, than they used to be.
But those hearts in the Saskatoon 60-Plus Hockey League just keep growing. This puck-loving group took time to send greetings to Sporting Christmas, to remember cherished members, and to put food on the tables of Saskatoon’s less fortunate.
The league sends a Sporting Christmas donation today, collected “from its players, referees, wives and friends.
The funds were donated in the dressing room after games and by players and friends at our annual Christmas banquet.
The donation is being made in memory of the following seven former 60-plus Hockey League players who passed away during 2018: Dale Wilson, Byrne Moore, Marty Weightman, Reg Morrison, Irv Senger, Abe Kroeger, and Ken Britton.”
Across the way, over at the curling rink, the Veterans Curling League — made up of members of the Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans of Canada, Unit No. 38 — swept up a generous donation for us.
“The Starphoenix Sporting Christmas is one of our favourite causes, and each year the Veterans Curling League is proud to donate to such a worthy cause,” writes league president Murray Bourget.
“In the Christmas Spirit, it is fitting to remember and help those who are less fortunate than us. We hope our donation will help a family find a little bit of joy under their tree this Christmas. As has been our tradition for many years, our members held a small raffle/ fundraiser at our Christmas party this past Sunday. All the funds raised are being donated to Sporting Christmas.”
The amazing Saskatoon Hilltops, fresh off their fifth consecutive Canadian title — let that sink in for a few seconds — are champions off the field, too, as shown today by their Sporting Christmas donation.
Greg and Rhonda Keller, meanwhile, honour some accomplished baseball and hockey players.
“In memory/honour and celebration of the Johanna and Edward Keller family from Wilkie (Joseph, Edward, Wendolyn and Ralph and the extended family) and their induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame this past August,” they write. “Many of the family went on to play high-level hockey as well. Also in memory of Paul Swidrovich, who passed away this past week. Paul was a close family friend and supporter of the Salvation Army.”
Ross Affleck tells us he “lost two friends in 2018, both great sportsmen in their respective communities, Ron Maccrimmon/plenty and Bob Joyce/dodsland.”
It’s a terribly difficult time here at the Starphoenix, after the Wednesday-night passing of our esteemed and highly-respected arts editor and columnist Cam Fuller. We’re putting out this paper with heavy hearts, and a former colleague steps up to remember Cam with a Sporting Christmas donation.
Writes Joanne Paulson, a longtime Starphoenix reporter and editor and now an author: “In honour of the incredible Cam Fuller: gentle colleague, champion of the arts, genius writer, great journalist, wonderful friend. Sending all my love and strength.”
We’re glad today to hear from Glenn and Suzanne Taphorn, who always sends a thoughtful card and note.
“This donation,” they write, “is made in loving memory of all our loved ones who are no longer with us.
“They continue to inspire and enrich us, especially at this ‘giving ’ time of year.
“We thank you for this welcome and worthy cause.”
Thanks to everybody who donated today, and pushed our total for the year over $70,000. But there’s still time on the clock, and we seek more donations as we help the Salvation Army with its Christmashamper program.
To give online, please visit thestarphoenix.com/sportingchristmas and click the donation link, or stop at our downtown office and leave your donation at our front desk (if you arrive before noon), or in the slot inside the front doors. You can also mail to:
Sporting Christmas c/o The Starphoenix, 204 Fifth Ave. North, Saskatoon, Sask., S7K 2P1