The Penticton Vees' 3-2 overtime victory over the Vernon Vipers on Saturday night proved to be just as successful off of the ice as on it. That night, Penticton hockey fans came out the South Okanagan Events Centre in near-record numbers to help the Vees and a number of sponsors raise money as part of the Christmas Charity Challenge.
With $31,900 raised for local charity and 4,552 fans on hand to watch the Vees win, the event was an overwhelming success. Pentictonites embraced the holiday spirit and set the record for the biggest crowd to watch a BCHL game this season, well eclipsing the 3,500 needed for charities to get the money pledged by local businesses and fans.
“I’m proud of the City of Penticton,” says event organizer Duane Jordan. “It was a fantastic night with over $31,000 given to charity, the biggest crowd of the year, and of course the Vees winning a thriller! We hope to see a big crowd on Wednesday for the cheque presentation.”
Businesses and charities involved in the Christmas Charity Challenge thus far:
* Pasta Factory – OSNS Child Development Centre
* The Mortgage Centre – Be An Angel Campaign (Okanagan Boys & Girls Club)
* Sears Flooring – SOSMF South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation
* Underwriters Insurance – Penticton Soupateria
* Brian and Joni Cutler: Coldwell Banker – SOWINS (South Okanagan Women in Need Society)
* Sherwood Trophies/ Gilchrist and Co. – Dragonfly Pond Family Society
* Canadian Tire – Jump Start
* Vassilaki Family – Penticton SPCA
* Anonymous Vees Booster – Kidsport (selected by the Vees players)
* Penticton Auto Dealers Association – South Okanagan Children’s Charity ($2,000)
* B.C. Hockey Hall of Fame – Alzheimer Society of B.C.
* Pacific Rim Equipment – Auz’s Hair for the Cause (Canadian Cancer Society)
* Sunland Utilities – Auz’s Hair for the Cause (Canadian Cancer Society)
* Peter Bros. Construction – Penticton Soupateria ($2,500), Penticton Food Bank ($2,500), Boys & Girls Club ($2500), Penticton & District Community Resource Society ($2,500).
* Beltone Hearing Clinic – SOWINS (South Okanagan Women In Need Society)
* White Kennedy Chartered Accountants – Auz’s Hair for the Cause (Canadian Cancer Society)
* Harcott Glanville Insurance Brokers – Penticton Food Bank ($1000), Penticton & District Community Resource Society ($1000), Be An Angel Campaign ($1000)
* Vees Host Family – Kidsport Penticton ($500)
* The Ricard Family – Auz’s Hair for the Cause (Canadian Cancer Society)
* Hammerworks – Penticton Soupateria ($500) * Penticton Sr. Ironman Hockey Team (TBA) – Kidsport ($500)
* Rock Mountain Contracting – SOSMF Obstetrics Unit (South Okanagan Similkameen Medical Foundation) ($400)
