Rockets Pledge Funds to KGH

r (Kelowna) – The Kelowna Rockets are pleased to announce that the Western Hockey League team has set a goal of raising $200,000 for the Kelowna General Hospital Orthopedic Unit over the next five years.

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r The funds will be raised through the Kelowna Rockets Alumni Weekend which takes place each summer and in the past has raised $109,000 for KGH’s pediatric and maternity ward. Money raised over the next five years will be used to purchase specialized equipment for the orthopedic unit.

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r “We’re very proud to be able to continue our partnership with Kelowna General Hospital and help raise money for the orthopedic unit,” said Anne-Marie Hamilton, Kelowna Rockets director of marketing. “Our alumni weekend started with 24 people and has grown so much that it will be oversold.”

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r Co-sponsored by Scotiabank and the Kelowna Daily Courier, the Rockets Alumni Weekend takes place July 22-25 and features a golf tournament and hockey game. Former Rockets players Josh Gorges, Shea Weber and Duncan Keith are all committed to taking part.

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r “I think it’s important for us as players to realize that we are very fortunate to be a part of this team, this city and this organization,” said Gorges, now a member of the Montreal Canadiens. “We owe a lot of our success to the Rockets and this is an opportunity to help out in the best way we can.”

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r Dr. Jack Oliver is one of seven orthopedic surgeons at KGH. He says the equipment that will be purchased will bring the hospital inline with other major health centres.

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r “The equipment is going to be state of the art and will bring us right up to the level we need to be,” said Oliver. “We’re thrilled to have this huge boost to the hospital.”

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r KGH Foundation executive director Sarah Nelems said the charity support will have a big impact.

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r “We will be able to buy equipment that Interior Health does not have a budget for,” said Nelems. “This is high-tech equipment that will have an impact over the whole community. We’re thrilled to be the charity of choice for the Kelowna Rockets Alumni Weekend.”

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r Scotiabank branches across Kelowna are jumping on board and are raffling Rockets jerseys to raise additional funds.

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r "Scotiabank Group is pleased to continue its involvement with the Rockets Foundation Alumni Weekend events in support of the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation,” stated Gladys Fraser, Scotiabank Kelowna main branch manager. “For the past two years, over 30 Scotiabank Group employees have volunteered their time to fundraise for this cause and through our Team Scotia Program, we are able to match the funds they raise.  Many of our business lines are collaborating to support this event including Scotiabank Branches, ScotiaMcLeod, Scotia Private Client Group, and Scotia Dealer Finance. This has been a great partnership for Scotiabank Group to make a difference in our community."

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