(From https://ontariohockeyleague.com/article/november-is-special-olympics-game-month-in-the-ohl-2019)
Toronto, Ont. – The Ontario Hockey League announced today that it is teaming up with The Law Enforcement Torch Run and Special Olympics Ontario to raise awareness around the Special Olympics movement for a 12th straight season.
November is Special Olympics Game Month in the OHL as fans will have the opportunity to learn more about Special Olympics Ontario and can help the movement by contributing funds through the annual ‘Pass the Bucket’ and other fundraising initiatives at select games across the League.
“The Ontario Hockey League has enjoyed a long-standing relationship in support of Special Olympics Ontario,” said OHL Commissioner David Branch. “We look forward to spending the month of November raising funds and awareness for this most important organization at work in our OHL communities.”
New this season, the Ontario Hockey League is partnering with Ascend Fundraising Solutions to donate the proceeds of a league-wide online 50-50 raffle that runs throughout the month of November to Special Olympics Ontario. Fans in Ontario can visit specialolympics5050.com to purchase a ticket for the chance to win a guaranteed minimum prize of $5,000. All additional proceeds raised through the 50-50 raffle will be donated to Special Olympics Ontario. The winning ticket will be drawn on Monday, December 2nd at 11:00am.
Special Olympics games in OHL rinks may also include ceremonial puck drops with Special Olympics Ontario athletes and staff along with members of local law enforcement.
“The partnership between Special Olympics Ontario and the OHL has grown over the course of 12 years and we are proud with the affiliation,” said President & CEO of Special Olympics Ontario Glenn MacDonnell. “Special Olympics has benefitted from the awareness and support of all OHL teams and fans. The visibility and heartwarming welcome the OHL teams and players provide to Special Olympics athletes proves the positive impact of athletes supporting athletes.”
The 2019 campaign comes on the heels of Special Olympics’ 50-year anniversary celebrated across the OHL last season, recognizing the half-century mark of the movement first pioneered by Dr. Frank Hayden in 1968.
Ontario Hockey League member teams and their fans raised over $34,000 for Special Olympics Ontario during the 2018-19 season.
Special Olympics Game Month Schedule:
Friday, November 1 at Kitchener Rangers (vs. Owen Sound Attack) at 7:30pm
Saturday, November 2 at Niagara IceDogs (vs. Mississauga Steelheads) at 7:00pm
Saturday, November 2 at Sudbury Wolves (vs. Peterborough Petes) at 7:05pm
Saturday, November 9 at Barrie Colts (vs. Erie Otters) at 7:30pm
Saturday, November 9 at Windsor Spitfires (vs. North Bay Battalion) at 7:05pm
Sunday, November 10 at Hamilton Bulldogs (vs. Niagara IceDogs) at 2:00pm
Thursday, November 14 at Peterborough Petes (vs. Niagara IceDogs) at 7:05pm
Friday, November 15 at Mississauga Steelheads (vs. Sarnia Sting) at 7:00pm
Saturday, November 16 at Guelph Storm (vs. Saginaw Spirit) at 4:00pm
Saturday, November 16 at Owen Sound Attack (vs. Kingston Frontenacs) at 7:30pm
Sunday, November 17 at London Knights (vs. Kitchener Rangers) at 2:00pm
Saturday, November 23 at Ottawa 67’s (vs. Mississauga Steelheads) at 2:00pm
Sunday, November 24 at Kingston Frontenacs (vs. Mississauga Steelheads) at 2:00pm
Sunday, November 24 at Sarnia Sting (vs. Soo Greyhounds) at 4:05pm
Sunday, November 24 at North Bay Battalion (vs. Niagara IceDogs) at 2:00pm
Thursday, November 28 at Oshawa Generals (vs. Mississauga Steelheads) at 7:05pm
Additional games this season:
January 17 at Soo Greyhounds (vs. Saginaw Spirit) at 7:07pm
The OHL is proud to support the nearly 26,000 Special Olympics Ontario participants – a figure that has grown by close to 60% during the league’s 12-year provincial partnership since 2008.
For more information or to make a donation visit specialolympicsontario.com.
About Special Olympics Ontario
Special Olympics Ontario is part of a global movement that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sports. We empower people with intellectual disabilities to become accepted and valued members of their communities, which leads to a more respectful and inclusive society for all. Using sports as the catalyst and programming around health and education, Special Olympics is fighting inactivity, injustice and intolerance. Special Olympics encourages sports and fun, bringing people together and breaks down stereotypes about people with intellectual disabilities through a unified sports approach.
About the Ontario Hockey League
The Ontario Hockey League is a proud member of the Canadian Hockey League, which is the world’s largest development hockey league with 60 teams in nine Canadian provinces and five American states. In addition to the OHL, the CHL is made up of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League. Last season, more than nine million fans attended CHL games in the regular season, playoffs and at the MasterCard Memorial Cup. The CHL supplies more players to the National Hockey League than any other league. Last season, 527 graduates attended Canadian Universities on scholarships from CHL teams.