Vees’ Season of Giving begins Saturday
Penticton, B.C. – The Penticton Vees Junior Hockey Club is partnering with various local groups this holiday season, to help give back to our community.
The Vees “Season of Giving,” begins on Saturday, November 23rd, with their second annual RE/MAX Coats For Kids night, when they face the Vernon Vipers at the SOEC; puck drop is 6:00 pm.
Saturday, RE/MAX will be on hand to accept donations for new or gently used children’s coats, snow pants, toques, gloves, and boots. All donations will be given to BGC Okanagan. All November, RE/MAX offices is Penticton, Summerland, and Osoyoos have been accepting donations for children’s winter outerwear. Their offices are still accepting donations up until November 30th. Any fan who donates at the game on Saturday, will be entered for a chance to win a team-signed Vees jersey.
The Vees annual Teddy & Toque Toss is set for Friday, December 6th, against the Sherwood Park Crusaders, puck drop is 6:00 pm. Bannister Chevrolet and Bannister Kia are the presenting co-sponsors of this year’s Teddy & Toque Toss.
The Vees encourage fans to bring warm winter outerwear along with new or gently used stuffed toys to throw onto the ice when the Vees score their first goal. Donations will be given to the Salvation Army Food Bank and Shop of Wonders. Year over year, the Salvation Army Food Bank has seen a significant increase in families relying on their services. They are also stressing the importance of monetary donations.
The Salvation Army is a main hub for 17 local groups such as Purple Pantry, SOWINS, Penticton Soupateria, Mama’s to Mama’s, and various churches. The Salvation Army will have a Christmas kettle with touchless giving technology, allowing fans to “tap to give” at the game on December 6th. There will also be a bin for non-perishable food donations at the top of Gate 1 at the SOEC.
The Vees are also supporting season fundraising campaigns during the holiday season.
Bethel Church is hosting their third annual Shop of Wonders at the Okanagan College from December 5th – 7th. The Shop of Wonders is a pop-up toy shop for local families who need help making Christmas special. The goal is provide every child three stocking stuffers, two “elf” gifts (medium-size gift), and one “Santa” gift. The Vees will be donating an allotment of stuffed toys from their Teddy & Toque Toss game to Shop of Wonders. For more information, visit Bethel Church’s website.
The annual Toys for Tots to Teens breakfast and drive-thru at Penticton Secondary is Thursday, December 12th, from 7:00 – 11:00 am. The community is invited to bring a new, unwrapped toy or gift for children up to 18-year of age to the school. For your donation, you can enjoy a free breakfast and live from Pen-Hi students. If you can’t attend the breakfast, they are accepting donations out from of the school where Vees players will take your donation.
OSNS Child & Youth Development Centre has an online 50/50 raffle ongoing until November 30th. The goal is to get the jackpot up to $20,000, with half going to the winner. Funds raised support the Share a Smile Fall Fundraising campaign, benefiting children and youth in the South Okanagan. The OSNS Share a Smile Showcase is November 30th, from 11:00 am – 3:00 pm at Cherry Lane Shopping Centre. Buy your 50/50 raffle tickets at OSNS’s website. 50/50 raffle sales ends at midnight on November 30th.
Join us in supporting several great initiatives this holiday season.