Former NHLer Curtis Glencross has helped raise thousands of dollars for two central Alberta charities.
Glencross and Friends raised $170,000 through the eighth annual Glencross Invitational Charity Roughstock event, which will support the Hockey Alberta Foundation and its Every Kid Every Community program, and the Ronald McDonald House.
“We’re so proud of it this year,” Glencross said Friday at the Hockey Alberta office in the Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre.
“With the economy the way it is and (it being) the first year we sanctioned our rodeo through the CPRA, everything about it turned out really well.”
Over eight years, the event has raised more than $1.7 million for Alberta organizations. This year’s event was hosted in Red Deer in August.
Jason Evanson, of Ronald McDonald House Charities Alberta, said the organization couldn’t run without the support of the community.
“The money raised by Curtis through his roughstock rodeo will service families right here in central Alberta,” said Evanson.
“Families coming into Red Deer that need support because their child is being treated at the hospital next door, or families right here from the city whose kids are also at the hospital, they might not need an overnight stay, but they can come over to the house for a bite to eat or to participate in programs and have a bit of relief from the facility next door.”
Tim Leer, Hockey Alberta Foundation executive director, said these funds will help families across the province.
“The goal of Every Kid Every Community is to provide kids with the pathway to experience our great sport for the first time, and more kids now have that opportunity through program and player grants,” said Leer.
A truck raffle was added to the 2019 roughstock event. The raffle was won by another former NHLer, Mike Commodore.
“He was one of the first guys to purchase a ticket. I actually sold it to him at the Hockey Alberta golf tournament in Canmore this year. When I called him up and told him about it, the big fella was pretty excited,” said Glencross, who played on the Edmonton Oilers, Calgary Flames, Columbus Blue Jackets, Anaheim Ducks and Washington Capitals.
sean.mcintosh@reddeeradvocate.com
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