EDMONTON – The Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation (EOCF) is teaming up the with the Hockey Alberta Foundation (HAF) for the second consecutive season by donating $1.5 million to make minor hockey accessible for thousands of families and help grow the game in Alberta. Donations from the EOCF to the Hockey Alberta Foundation have totaled $3 Million over the last two years.
This donation will support the Hockey Alberta Foundation’s Every Kid Every Community Grant Program, the Hockey Alberta Member Grant Program and the Hockey Alberta Volunteer Recognition/Thank You Program.
“We are once again proud and honoured to partner with the Hockey Alberta Foundation to help make hockey possible for thousands of kids across our province,” said Corey Smith, EOCF Board Chair. Seeing all those kids take the ice for the first time last year, and the smiles and tears in their parents eyes, we saw firsthand just how important these funds were for families across Alberta. This partnership has made an enormous impact on growing the game of hockey from the grass roots level and making Canada’s game accessible for all kids in Alberta—one of the EOCF’s core mandates.”
During the 2021-22 season, the Hockey Alberta Member Grant Program, supported by the EOCF, impacted over 13,000 participants, coaches and members. Focused on Northern Alberta, 83 associations and organizations received grants across 60 different communities.
“The effect that the Member Grant had on communities across Northern Alberta last season was remarkable. It truly made a difference in communities and associations, whether it was putting a stick in a child’s hands, implementing a para hockey program or infrastructure development. Thanks to the continued partnership with the EOCF, we can continue to reach more participants and grow the game in the right direction,” said Dennis Zukiwsky, HAF Board Chair.
The Hockey Alberta Member Grant Program, supported by the EOCF, allows access to funding for Hockey Alberta members in Red Deer area and north. Priority for funding will be given to those in need for leadership development, introduction to hockey, female, para, Indigenous hockey programming and any inclusion and diversity initiatives.
As part of the partnership, the Hockey Alberta Volunteer Recognition/Thank You Program is back. Volunteers are crucial to the success of amateur hockey in the province and Hockey Alberta wants to give their thanks. Coaches, parents, and players will have an opportunity to be inspired by their Oilers or Oil Kings heroes.
