Hurricanes raise $31,000 for United Way programs
This past hockey season’s annual campaign partnering the Lethbridge Hurricanes with the United Way has raised nearly $31,000 towards supporting child and youth development, community programs and helping those in need.
“We honestly can’t thank the Hurricanes enough,” said Trudy Carrels, executive director of the United Way of Lethbridge & South Western Alberta.
“This money is going to go out into the community, touch a lot of babies, children, teens, youth, families’ lives. It’s going to make a big difference, this will make a very big difference.”
Hurricanes fans supported the cause during the season through a number of activities such as jersey and jacket raffles, Coulee Brew Co. and Browns Socialhouse tailgate parties, and the Tip a ’Cane event at Mr. Mikes Steakhouse Casual.
Kathy Hong, the Hurricanes’ marketing and game day coordinator, said she has seen the success of the annual campaign increase every year. The Hurricanes 30th anniversary season included a raffle for a pair of Kris Versteeg autographed Flames jerseys donated by community supporter Darren Malchow, as well as an exclusive limited edition Hurricanes jacket. “We’re very, very happy to help the United Way,” said Hong, adding the team’s successful playoff run gave the club and its fans extra opportunities to help support the campaign.
The United Way is an umbrella organization that supports a number of community agencies, such as food banks, shelters and youth programs. Carrels said the organization is currently in a rebuild and faces a significant shortfall in their ability to respond to the needs in the community, so the Hurricanes campaign and other fundraising efforts coming up throughout the year will help efforts to fill that gap.