Jets Fans show their Neighbourly Side
The Salvation Army and MB Hydro showcase Neighbours Helping Neighbours Program at April 20th hockey game.
Winnipeg, MB – On Saturday, April 20th, The Salvation Army was present at the Winnipeg Jets home game versus the New York Islanders to showcase Neighbours Helping Neighbours. This program is an energy assistance program administered by The Salvation Army at its Weetamah location on Logan Avenue. Neighbours Helping Neighbours provides low income individuals, families and seniors throughout Manitoba, who are unable to pay their energy bill due to personal hardship or crisis, emergency funding to assist with their bill. During the event, a total of $7588.45 was raised to support this program.
To help bring awareness and raise funds for the Neighbours Helping Neighbours program, a number of events took place. On Thursday, April 18th, Mark Young, Ministry Director for The Salvation Army Weetamah Centre, appeared on TSN 1290’s Hustler and Lawless show to talk about Neighbours Helping Neighbours and to explain how people can get involved in supporting this valuable program. On Friday, April 19th, Mark Young, accompanied by Stephanie Sawchuk from Neighbours Helping Neighbours, appeared on CTV Morning Live to speak more about the program. Additional to these media appearances, a number of things were planned for the April 20th game.
Prior to the puck dropping to start the hockey game, The Salvation Army Brass Band accompanied Stacy Nattrass in stirring renditions of the national anthems of both Canada and the United States. Their performance was broadcast locally on TSN and in New York State on MSG Plus.
During the first and second periods, fans were invited to make a donation to the Neighbours Helping Neighbours program. An incentive to drive donations was provided by Manitoba Hydro who offered two prize packages consisting of a team autographed Jets jersey, tickets to the final game versus Montreal and other Jets memorabilia to two lucky fans that made a donation during the game. As a result of this drive, $2088.45 was raised to support Neighbours Helping Neighbours.
“Manitoba Hydro was excited to partner with the Salvation Army in this sponsorship opportunity,” stated Cindy Roy of Manitoba Hydro, “The event was successful in raising awareness of the Neighbours Helping Neighbours program, in addition to raising funds to continue this worthwhile program going forward.”
Manitoba Hydro and The Salvation Army would like to congratulate Carla Gallant on winning the tickets and Jersey, and Allan Grimshaw on winning the Jets memorabilia package.
As part of the awareness campaign for Neighbours Helping Neighbours, a number of tickets to the lower bowl of the arena and a special box suite were made available to sell as sponsorship opportunities to send a client of The Salvation Army to the hockey game – a treat that is virtually unavailable to most of those The Salvation Army serves. As a result of this unique sponsorship opportunity a number of gang affected youth and a number of clients from The Salvation Army Community Venture program were able to attend. The Salvation Army is pleased to report the sponsorship drive raised an additional $5500.00 for the Neighbours Helping Neighbours program.
During the game, a number of the clients of The Salvation Army were surprised by an invitation to the Giant Tiger box suite for hot dogs, nachos and wings. A big thank you to Giant Tiger for helping make their experience just a little more special!
The Salvation Army would like to thank all of its supporters and especially to those who helped make this event a success. Thank you to Manitoba Hydro for helping promote and coordinate this event. Thank you to True North Sports and Entertainment and the Winnipeg Jets Hockey Club for inviting The Salvation Army Brass Band to play the national anthems. Finally, thank you to those who sponsored a client of The Salvation Army to attend the game.
To make a donation to Neighbours Helping Neighbours, please contact The Salvation Army at (204) 946-9490. You can also make a donation by visiting Manitoba Hydro’s Neighbours Helping Neighbours donation page located at: https://www.hydro.mb.ca/community/neighbours_helping_neighbours/neighbours_form.html . All donations are tax deductible and every dollar supports people in need.
If you, or someone you know, could benefit from the Neighbours Helping Neighbours program, please contact The Salvation Army at (204) 946-9490 to learn more about the program and its eligibility criteria.