2009 WHL Humanitarian returns to support Starlite Campaign
Submitted by EKFH on 10-11-2010
CRANBROOK, BC… Humanitarian: caring, kind, gentle, compassionate and charitable. Matt Fraser the 2009 WHL Humanitarian of the Year Award Winner is once again joining forces with East Kootenay Foundation for Health in support of its 3rd annual Starlite Campaign for Excellence in Health Care.
Last year Matt’s efforts were focused on raising $5,000 to light one star; however in the end the generosity of hockey fans, some fundraising initiatives by Matt with his teammates and various community groups, the Shoot for the Star fundraiser realized over $14,900 which lit the sky with two stars and almost three.
Matt’s passion to help the fight against breast cancer (in honour of his grandmother, mother and billet mom’s mother) and the success of the Shoot for the Star, together with supporting dollars from EKFH, the East Kootenay Community Credit Union, the Cranbrook Health Care Auxiliary, Abreast in the Rockies Dragonboat Team allowed the groups to purchase a node biopsy probe to be used for breast cancer patients by the surgeons at the regional hospital.
Support for Matt’s goal also saw the purchase of a cast cutter thanks to the Cranbrook Bantam A ICE team’s bottle drive which Matt, Kevin King and Steele Boomer personally participated on New Year’s Day.
As Matt approaches his last year with the Kootenay ICE, he would like to say thanks to all those who helped him reach last year’s goal by asking for your support once again to raise another $5,000 to light a star in support of seniors programs in the region.
“I am very grateful and thankful for all that I have received while living in Cranbrook. I think if I can encourage people to make donations to light another star this year for the Starlite Campaign it would be a cool thing to see that star represent the Kootenay ICE, its players and fans. What a great way to celebrate my incredible time here playing hockey,” says Fraser.
Jeff Chynoweth, General Manager explains, “The Kootenay ICE organization is fully behind Matt in his efforts to light another star at the hospital this year. The ICE has been supporters of EKFH for over a decade and will continue to be for many years to come. We are also extremely proud of all of our players who participate in the many fundraisers for the foundation and other charitable groups. In respect to Matt’s desire for a $5,000 Matt Fraser – Kootenay ICE Fan Star, our organization is pleased to start the donations off with $500 toward the fundraising goal.”
The ICE are going one step further by providing 8-10- tickets at several games over the next few months so that Matt and EKFH can allocate them to eligible children & seniors who are Fraser fans but are not able to get to the games.
This weekend at the November 13 home game, representatives from EKFH will be on hand at pre-game and between periods to accept donations to Matt’s Kootenay ICE Fan Star in preparation for the Starlite Campaign kick off on November 25 at the regional hospital.
If you can’t make game night, you can help Matt celebrate his last year here with the ICE by making a donation online to www.ekfh.ca , donate now: Matt Fraser Humanitarian. You can also make a cash or cheque donation at the Kootenay ICE office.
Hockey and healthcare a winning combination for years. Please consider a donation to the Starlite Campaign today and help EKFH enhance patient care for seniors facilities and programs throughout the East Kootenay..
For more information call Donna Grainger at East Kootenay Foundation for Health 1.877.489.6481 or 250.489.6481.
L-R: EKFH Chair Linda Berukoff. Jeff Chynoweth (GM Kootenay ICE), Matt Fraser (2009 WHL Humanitarian Award Winner) and Donna Grainger (EKFH Executive Director) get together to accept the ICE’s $500 donation toward a Matt Fraser/Kootenay ICE Fans star.