Winners of #TeamStaal2017 Announced; Kids to Play in Fountain Tire Summer Classic
$32,576 raised for Northern Cancer Fund
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Students from Erica Geddes' class surround her with messages of support. Erica (pictured in blue next to Reggie the Bear), along with 4 other kids will be playing on #teamstaal2017 in the Fountain Tire Summer Classic on July 10 at the Staal Foundation Open, presented by Tbaytel. Thanks to their fundraising in support of the Northern Cancer Fund, they each won a spot on the team. The four kids joining Erica are: Edelweiss Price, Jadan Desormeaux, Steven Stadey and Ethen Friesen. |
June 14, 2017
For the second year in a row, kids across Northwestern Ontario stepped forward to show off their best street hockey moves and raise money for the Northern Cancer Fund for a chance to play on #teamstaal2017 in the Fountain Tire Summer Classic – an epic road hockey game that will take place at the Staal Foundation Open presented by Tbaytel, on July 10. On Friday, June 9, organizers were thrilled to recognize the efforts of fifteen kids between the ages of nine to fourteen who did an exceptional job fundraising in an attempt to earn their spot on the team. At the end of the contest, $32,576 was raised for the Northern Cancer Fund, with the top three fundraisers guaranteed a spot on the team.
The announcement of the winners took place Friday afternoon at Westmount Public School with representatives from the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation, Staal Foundation Open, presented by Tbaytel and the number two fundraiser, Erica Geddes, who earned a spot on #teamstaal2017 by raising $5,300! She was surrounded by her family, friends, classmates and school community – all of whom were very supportive of her journey over the past few weeks. In fact, just the day before, her class had filmed a video and shared it via social media to help give her a final push into a Top three spot. On Friday afternoon, many of them made time to celebrate with her and came in to school on a Professional Development Day.
Erica was proud to announce that, joining her on #teamstaal2017, is Edelweiss Price, who raised $5,645 to claim the top fundraising spot and Jadan Desormeaux, who raised $5,070.25. In total the top three fundraisers raised $16,015.25 – almost half the total of the entire contest! Additionally, Erica drew two names from the other contestants who earned ballots in a draw for each $20 they had raised. Also joining #teamstaal2017 are Steven Stadey and Ethen Friesen.
Glenn Craig, President & CEO, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation was impressed with the creativity and commitment from the kids. “There were some very unique videos that were entered in the first phase of the contest,” he said. “And then in the past two weeks, these kids really stepped up their fundraising game. I’m very proud of their hard work and dedication to this challenge and congratulate each one of them.”
“For the second year in a row, our family is absolutely blown away by the fundraising efforts of the kids in the Team Staal Challenge,” said Jordan Staal. “These kids are supporting other kids in the region which makes it even more incredible. The dollars raised will support families and children battling cancer in Northwestern Ontario. We thank everyone who entered this year's contest and we cannot wait to play in the 2017 Fountain Tire Summer Classic. It's definitely a highlight of the tournament.”
Each player selected will play in the road hockey game of a lifetime in the Fountain Tire Summer Classic on July 10, 2017 at 11am at Whitewater Golf Club, as part of the Opening Day activities of the Staal Foundation Open, presented by Tbaytel. Fans are invited to come and enjoy the pre game activities, starting at 9:30 a.m. with a host of mascots and prizes, and watch and cheer on our #teamstaal2017 players. The game will feature the Staals, along with other past and present NHLers such as Bobby Orr, Grant Fuhr, and Carter Hutton. Additionally it will feature a roster of celebrities, Mackenzie Tour – PGA TOUR Canada players, and TSN personalities.
A final spot was given away at Fountain Tire on Sunday June 11 as part of a skills/luck competition.
“We’re so excited to host all of the finalists at the Staal Foundation Open this July,” said Gloria Sherban, Board Director, Staal Foundation Open, presented by Tbaytel. “This really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and a wonderful reward for their hard work. Each youngster that participates in the road hockey game will get VIP treatment for the day and special recognition for their fundraising efforts."