Local Community Advertising
On Friday, June 29th the first ever HOMEBASE Charity Slo-Pitch Tournament will kick-off an action-packed weekend event in our community.
Locals can celebrate their Canada Day weekend by witnessing some of our nation’s most unforgettable NHL hockey players as they step outside of their element on to the slow-pitch field in support the KGH Foundation.
Thousands of families from across B.C. travel to Kelowna General Hospital for urgent medical care. As the warmer temperatures increase throughout the Okanagan so do hotel rates. With so many factors to consider when travelling for urgent medical care, finding an affordable place to stay doesn’t have to be a part of the burden. With the help of this annual tournament, the KGH Foundation will be one step closer to reaching their goal of raising $8 million to build and operate JoeAnna’s House, a home away from home for families that need it most.
The idea for the HOMEBASE tournament came together thanks to former Kelowna Rockets’ captain and current Buffalo Sabres’ defenceman, Josh Gorges. Gorges grew up in Kelowna and returns during the summer months to spend time with his family.
“This community has given me so much, I’ve wanted to find a way to give back for a really long time. JoeAnna’s House is about keeping families together. We know first-hand how hard it can be when family isn’t close by so it wasn’t hard to get a group of guys together. At the heart of it, we are all family men, so this cause really hits home,” said Josh Gorges, defenceman for the Buffalo Sabres, former captain of the Kelowna Rockets and the event’s host.
Gorges approached his good friend and fellow Rockets alumni, Blake Comeau, and together they have rallied over 15 additional hockey players to participate in the event.
Friday’s NHL All-Star Match will feature past and current NHL players such as Josh Gorges, Blake Comeau, Shea Weber, Carey Price, Luke Schenn, Brayden Schenn, Brendan Gallagher, Ryan Johansen, Jordin Tootoo and more.
“The generosity of these players is really heart-warming. Many of these guys and their young families come to Kelowna in the summer for their off-season. We are incredibly grateful that they have chosen to spend this time doing something that will truly benefit the families in this region for decades to come,” said Doug Rankmore, CEO of the KGH Foundation.
This family-friendly event will open its doors to the public at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, June 29th, 2018. Not only will attendees have the chance to watch as the action unfolds but there will also be an opportunity for a meet and greet with autograph signing and an after party with live entertainment from musician, Devon Coyote.
The tournament, which takes place on Saturday, June 30th will feature more than 15 NHL All-Star alumni and current players, as they face off against 24 pre-registered co-ed slow-pitch teams of all levels competing against two teams of hockey players.
A limited number of tickets are now on sale, so if you are interested in learning more information on how your family can be apart of this event, buy your tickets or see the event schedule, visit the facebook event page by clicking here. If you would like to purchase your Friday night tickets ahead of time, you can do so by clicking here.
Local Community Advertising