Storm Raises Close to $300,000 for Guelph Community
Each season the Guelph Storm is proud to partner with many organizations to support local not-for-profits in the community, as a way to give back to those who give the Storm so much. Each season, the community continues to embrace the Guelph Storm, and this season was no exception with fans packing the Eye of the Storm with nearly 4,500 fans a game.
During the 2022/2023 season, the Storm players were fortunate to visit nearly 40 elementary schools, after 3 seasons without school visits due to COVID-19. The “Champions for Education” initiative sees Storm players teaching STEM In Action on the Ice, or Read to Succeed, a program that stresses the importance of school.
The Booster Juice Ambassadors program was also back this season, which saw the five Ambassadors, Cooper Walker, Ben McFarelane, Braeden Bowman, Jake Karabela, and Cam Allen attend local minor hockey practices, to assist coaches with running drills and take part in a scrimmage.
The Storm brought back two highly anticipated events this year, Served by the Storm and Guelph Storm vs. Guelph Giants Benefit Game. The annual Served by the Storm event took place at Bobby O’Briens in downtown Guelph and raised $5,000 for our Adopt-A-School program. The program provides rewards and incentives to elementary school students throughout Wellington County for exemplary achievements in the classroom, extra-curricular activities, and volunteer work. The Storm provided $65,000 in donations to local non-profits and schools during the season through ticket sale fundraising and other cash donations. Including the sale of our warm-up jerseys, which were auctioned off at the conclusion of the regular season, raising $6,360.
To start the 2023 OHL playoffs the Storm made a promise to donate $10,000 to local charities if the OHL’s best fans filled the Sleeman Centre with over 4,000 fans for game 3. The Tuesday night game saw a standing-room-only crowd of 4548. Five local organizations benefitted from the donations.
As an organization, the Guelph Storm helped raise nearly $300,000 for local non-profits. This was done through direct donations or hosting fundraising opportunities at regular season games. Each game features a 50/50 which supports local organizations in the Guelph Wellington community.
Mark Wilson’s Pink the Rink
On Friday, October 14th the Guelph Storm held the annual Pink the Rink Night presented by Mark Wilson’s Better Used Cars. The Storm wore commemorative jerseys as they took the ice against the Saginaw Spirit. The jerseys were later auctioned off with all the proceeds going to the Canadian Cancer Society Waterloo Wellington. The sale of commemorative t-shirts and the jersey auction helped to raise $6,833.
Brent Johnson Wayne Pitman Food Drive
Brent Johnson of Wayne Pitman Ford Lincoln’s annual Food Drive in support of the Guelph Food Bank took place on Saturday, October 22nd as the Storm took on the rival Kitchener Rangers. Storm fans showed their generosity by donating approximately 2320 pounds of food for families in the Guelph community.
Winter Wear Drive for Hope House sponsored by Oosterveld Heating and Air Conditioning
Friday, October 28th the Guelph Storm hosted the 6th annual Winter Wear Drive sponsored by Oosterveld Heating and Air Conditioning in support of Hope House.
Zehrs Toy Drive in Support of the Salvation Army
Friday, December 9th the Storm took on the Owen Sound Attack for the 5th annual Holiday Toy Drive in support of the Salvation Army, proudly sponsored by Zehrs. The game featured a Chuck-A-Puck which helped to raise $1245.00 for the Salvation Army, in addition to the 900 toys collected during the game.
Big Brothers Big Sisters Day sponsored by Wellington Physiotherapy
Sunday, December 11th the Guelph Storm and Wellington Physiotherapy teamed up to support Big Brothers Big Sisters. There were bucket hats sold at the game with every dollar going back to the organization. The game raised $2,450 for Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Brent Johnson Wayne Pitman Teddy Bear Toss
Saturday, December 17th the Storm took on the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds in the annual Teddy Bear Toss game. The Teddy Bear Toss goal was scored by Max Namestnikov at 2:21 of the first period. Max’s goal brought over 2,500 bears onto the ice. The bears benefitted 12 different local organizations including senior homes.
United Way Rad!cal Recovery Game
Friday, February 10th the Guelph Storm teamed up with the United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin to bring fans the Rad!cal Recovery game. The game featured a 50/50 draw with half the proceeds supporting United Way, a donation table, and a Chuck-A-Puck. The game raised $3,613 for the United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin.
Woodlawn Bowl Night in support of Ronald McDonald House
Saturday, February 11th the Storm took on the London Knights for the annual Woodlawn Bowl Night in Support of Ronald McDonald House. The game featured a Chuck-A-Puck to assist in raising money for the cause, Bob McKay of Woodlawn Bowl presented Ronald McDonald House with a cheque for $40,000 during the pre-game ceremony. The game raised $6,998.
Skyjack Pev’s Protects in support of the Heart and Stroke Foundation
On Friday, February 17th the Storm hosted the 6th annual Pev’s Protects Night with the help of Skyjack. The initiative was developed by former National Hockey League forward and Guelph, Ontario native Rich Peverley, and his family, in partnership with the Heart and Stroke Foundation. Through fundraising initiatives and proceeds from the 50/50 the night raised $6,640 for the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
Hand Up for Healing supporting Anishnabeg Outreach
The Guelph Storm teamed up with the Neighbourhood Group of Companies to present the Hand Up For Healing Game in support of Anishnabeg Outreach when the Storm hosted the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds. The Storm took the ice in commemorative jerseys which were later auctioned off with all the funds benefitting Anishnabeg Outreach. The jersey auction raised $11,500.
Sleeman Pick Up the Tab Night
Friday, March 10th was Sleeman Pick Up the Tab Night at the Sleeman Centre as the Storm took on the Windsor Spitfires. “Tabs for Wheelchairs” started over 30 years ago with members from the Elora Legion. The game featured a Chuck-A-Puck which helped to raise $1,100 and 150lbs of tabs to be donated. The game raised $4,458.
Shutout Hunger for Chalmers
On Wednesday, March 15th the Guelph Storm hosted the 2nd annual Meridian Shutout Hunger for Chalmers when the Storm took on the London Knights. Fans were encouraged to bring non-perishable goods to the game, purchase a Chalmers toque, and take part in the Chuck-A-Puck. The game raised $3075 and over 200lbs of food. The game raised $6,227.
Captain’s Cause sponsored by Sonnet
On Friday, March 17th the Guelph Storm hosted the first-ever Captain’s Cause game with the help of Sonnet. Storm Captain Cooper Walker selected Alzheimer’s as his cause. The inaugural game would raise $5,000 for the Alzheimers Association of Waterloo Wellington, through commemorative t-shirt and puck sales, as well as a silent auction for a game-worn Cooper Walker jersey.
