As you may already know, thanks to the tremendous teamwork of numerous volunteers, sponsors and players, this year’s Rocky Mountain Hockey Challenge (RMHC) raised nearly $86,000 for our communities’ RCMP Victims Services. Over the past five years we have brought in more than $280,000 for these worthy charities.
In the wake of this summer’s flooding, Victims’ Services needed a boost like never before, so I am ecstatic that my charity hockey game has been able to bring in record revenues for them. This funding will be put to immediate use in Banff, Canmore, Cochrane, Airdrie, Olds and surrounding regions, helping lift the load of the hard working volunteers who responded so quickly and ably following the flood.
The RMHC is just one of several initiatives underway to support local families affected by the flood, which resulted in 27 local states of emergency being declared, dozens of community evacuation ordered and tens of thousands of our fellow citizens being displaced.
Just one day after my charity game, Hockey Canada and Bauer Hockey formally announced donations of $250,000 and $150,000 respectively. This funding will go to minor hockey players across southern Alberta to help replace equipment and cover additional costs incurred due to the flooding.
For more information, email [email protected]
Several days prior to the RMHC, on Aug. 15, the Alberta Flood Aid concert was held at McMahon Stadium in Calgary, raising an amazing $1.5 million for The Calgary Foundation Flood Rebuilding Fund. I attended the event along with Prime Minister Stephen Harper – who was welcomed by the crowd with a heart-warming ovation. It was a great show, featuring some of Alberta’s top talent like Ian Tyson, Corb Lund, Jann Arden, and Nickelback. The Calgary Foundation continues to collect donations at www.abfloodaid.ca
In addition, if you are able to provide a financial contribution to flood aid, I suggest the Canadian Red Cross (http://www.redcross.ca) or local initiatives like the Canmore Rotary Club’s Flood Relief Fund (http://rotaryclubofcanmore.ca/flood-relief-fund), which is providing support in Canmore, Kananaskis, Morley and the M.D. of Bighorn.
As a Member of Parliament for one of the areas most significantly damaged during the flood, I have to tell you that I have been inspired by the generosity shown by Albertans to their fellow citizens. It truly is an honour to represent you in Ottawa.
