❘ THE PROVINCE
EMPTYSTOCKINGFUND
Balloon fundraiser’s back
CANUCKS:
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2009
✁
A14 ❘ NEWS
Players’ wives, girlfriends pitch in to help less fortunate
Please give to
Donations can be made
through the following:
1. ONLINE: at www.theprovince.com/esf
<http://www.theprovince.com/esf>
2. BY DEPOSIT: at participating HSBC Bank
Canada and Scotiabank branches
3. IN-PERSON: at The Province Promotions
desk in the main lobby of 200 Granville St.
4. TELEPHONE: 1-800-805-1185
5. MAIL IN: to P.O. Box 2900, Vancouver, BC
V6B 3X4
Name:
___________________________________________
BY SAM COOPER
___________________________________________
STAFF REPORTER
✁
✁
Time and time again, Canucks
fans can be counted on in times of
need. That’s the message from the
Vancouver hockey spouses who
will be in the spotlight as enthusiastic fundraisers at two upcoming
home games, while their men take
the first-intermission breather.
This will be the 10th year in a row
for Canucks spouses to sell balloons stuffed with prizes in support of The Province’s Empty Stocking Fund. The Empty Stocking
Fund is now in its 91st year, and
raises money for 27 community
groups that provide food, shelter
and gifts to thousands in need.
Last year the Canucks’ better
halves raised $11,000. For five-year
balloon-sale veteran Andrea Kesler,
wife of sniper Ryan Kesler, that’s
proof Vancouver fans have big
hearts.
“It’s nice we can help out [with
the balloon fundraiser] because
everyone is scraping pennies
together right now and a lot of families could use some help at this
time of year,” she says.
To take part in the fundraiser, fans
buy a balloon from one of the
Canucks’ spouses for $20, or by
greater donation, and the ladies
pop the balloon to find a ticket that
corresponds to a gift bag.
Andrea Kesler says some fans like
to talk a bit of hockey with the Partners of Canucks players, including Andrea Kesler with baby Makayla and Anne Sophie Le Tarte, will sell
spouses at the balloon line, but balloons this Saturday to raise funds for The Empty Stocking Fund. NICK PROCAYLO — PROVINCE
most are just excited to check out
mission of the game against
other teams he has played for.”
their prizes, including signed playAndrea Kesler says Ryan feels the Edmonton. Balloons are sold at
er pictures, books and tickets to
same. “He thinks it’s great the orga- Level 100, Section 111 and Level
local shows.
nization lets us put a face on what 300, Section 326.
“Sometimes people will line up
The second sale will be Saturday,
the spouses do and pitch in.”
and buy another balloon, just tryAndrea has this final message for Dec. 12, at the game against Mining to get the autographed picture
fans who will help families that ulti- nesota.
that they want,” Kesler says.
Last year, The Empty Stocking
mately benefit from the funds
Anne Sophie Le Tarte, fiancée of
raised: “We realize it’s a tough time Fund raised $335,000, which is disright winger Steve Bernier, says her
and we just thank you for getting tributed through partner United
guy is happy she can take part in
Way of the Lower Mainland. The
involved in the fundraiser.”
giving back to the community.
The first Province Empty Stock- Province covers all administrative
“Steve thinks it’s fun that we get
ing Fund balloon sale takes place costs of the campaign.
to be involved with the team,” she
— Andrea Kesler this Saturday during the first [email protected]
says. “It hasn’t been like this on
More on the web
Click on Corporate Community Programs at www.theprovince.com
✁
“Sometimes people
will line up and buy
another balloon, just
trying to get the
autographed picture
that they want.”
Address:
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
___________________________________________
City: ______________________________________
Postal Code: _____________________________
Phone: (
) ____________________________
E-mail:____________________________________
Please find enclosed my donation of:
❑ $25 ❑ $50 ❑ $75
❑ $100 ❑ Other $________
❑ My cheque or money order payable
to The Province Empty Stocking Fund
❑ I prefer to use my credit card.
Please charge my:
❑ VISA ❑ MASTERCARD
Card #:
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
Expiry:_________ / ___________
Signature:
__________________________________________
A receipt for tax purposes will be forwarded to you.
The Province Empty Stocking Fund is a Province
newspaper campaign and fund managed by
The Province Newspaper.
ne.
Panel Code: 1150
The Province Empty Stocking Fund is a
Province newspaper campaign conducted
in partnership with the United Way.
The Province is published by Pacific Newspaper Group,
a division of Canwest Publishing Inc. The Province and
its subsidiaries and/or affiliates as well as agents or
representatives (collectively "Canwest") are
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disclosure of your personal information in accordance
with our privacy policy (Please visit
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party to process Province Empty Stocking Fund donations
and, with your express permission, to contact you about
future Province Empty Stocking Fund campaigns.
If you have provided us with your e-mail address,
you may also receive e-mails for
The Province Empty Stocking Fund.
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