Hockey, Golf & Giving Back

Photo: Contributed

This weekend saw a combination of three Okanagan passions coming together for one huge day of fun – Hockey, Golf & Giving Back. The 1st annual “Average Players Who Give a Puck” charity hockey tournament involved a draft night & auction, courtesy of Freddy’s Brew Pub,  an early morning round of golf,  and then an intense afternoon of 3 on 3 hockey games, all presented by Boyd Autobody & Glass.

Previously known as The Professionals tournament, this year the event was re-established by Rick Maddison of Tempest Media and a small committee of fellow hockey & golf lovers, wanting to create a professionals networking opportunity, a taster of the golf season and a last chance for a day on the ice.  All parts of the event were firmly focused on fun and philanthropy.

Boyd Autobody & Glass, long time supporters of many community initiatives, stepped up to sponsor the unique event AND run a coinciding marketing campaign linking windshield replacements & chip repairs with donations going to the local United Way.

“The campaign and the event has been a win-win,” says Methal Abougoush, Regional GM of the 4 local Boyd Autobody & Glass shops. “We are committed to sharing our good fortune with those vulnerable members of our community who need it most. United Way invests in programs that touch the lives of over 85,000 at-risk people in the valley where our customers and staff live & work, and we are very happy to support that. When our hockey playing staff can then get involved in fun events like the “Average Players” hockey tournament as well, they get to have a ton of fun while giving back too.”

Teams were blessed with great spring weather to kick off the morning of golf at Shannon Lake Golf Club, followed by players battling it out on the Ultimate Hockey Centre ice, to take home the coveted trophy and well deserved bragging rights.

Team Super Dave Osborne with players from Capri CMW, CIBC, Sun City Physio and Flowr Corporation took home the top prize after a tense penalty shoot out! Thanks to all the prize donors and especially BN3th for their extraordinary contributions to the swag bags. At the end of the day over $13,000 had been raised for United Way’s Community Fund, for essential local programs supporting children, youth, families & seniors in the Central and South Okanagan.

The Boyd Autobody & Glass windshield campaign will continue to raise funds for United Way through to the end of May,  and they will then shift their focus to the annual Fathers Day Show n’ Shine event in City Park.

About United Way Southern Interior BC (SIBC)
United Way Southern Interior BC serves communities across the Okanagan, Columbia, Shuswap and Similkameen – formed by the merger of United Way CSO and United Way NOCS, United Way SIBC builds on over 65 years of community investment. Our mission is to improve lives and build community by engaging individuals and mobilizing collective action. The United Way invests time and resources in three focus areas that support all that kids can be, move people from poverty to possibility and build healthy, strong communities.  For more information, visit www.unitedwaysibc.com or call 1-855-232-1321 or in the North Okanagan: 1-866-GIVE4UW.