THUNDER BAY – Healthbeat – For the seventh year, Freedom 55 Financial is providing golfers an opportunity to spend a day on the course with hockey players from across Northwestern Ontario. The Freedom 55 Financial Thunder Bay Hockey Celebrity Golf Classic, one of the premiere golf events on the summer schedule, will take place at Whitewater Golf Course on Thursday, July 12, 2012 in support of the Northern Cancer Fund of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Foundation.
In the past, hockey greats Eric Staal, Jordan Staal, Mark Staal, Jared Staal, Alex Auld, Patrick Sharp, Tyler Pyatt, Mike Richards, Trevor Letowski, Jeff Heerema and many others joined teams of golfers in the best-ball tournament. One of 30 hockey players joins each team of four golfers.
“This event is not only an opportunity to get to know a Northwestern Ontario hockey celebrity, but also raise funds for a meaningful cause,” said Tom Mihaljevic, event chair and Director, Business Development for Freedom 55 Financial. “The tournament has always been enthusiastically supported by the hockey players. They have a chance to meet community members who are all passionate about the same cause—supporting the fight against cancer”.
To date, The Freedom 55 Financial Thunder Bay Hockey Celebrity Golf Classic has raised over $200,000 for the Northern Cancer Fund of the Health Sciences Foundation. “100% of those funds stay in Northwestern Ontario to support cancer education & awareness, screening, treatment and research,” said Glenn Craig, President & CEO of the Health Sciences Foundation. “Events like this one have a direct impact on cancer patients in our community. Because of support like this, more people are living with cancer than dying from it”.
Glenn Craig, President & CEO of the Health Sciences Foundation applauds the outstanding commitment of Freedom 55 Financial, Great West Life, and the hockey players. “The impact of funds raised cannot be understated,” added Craig. “The difference these funds make is felt by our cancer patients, their families, and staff”.
The event‘s fundraising success can be attributed to exciting opportunities for sponsors and golfers. A ‘Hall of Fame’ sponsorship entitles the sponsor to the first draft pick of the day – the player of their choice will join their team. The second draft pick will go to the highest bidder in a live auction just prior to tee-off. Other sponsorships pay-off for event participants as well as the Northern Cancer Fund. “In 2009, one lucky golfer was the recipient of a new car thanks to a hole-in-one and a generous sponsor’,” added Mihaljevic.
Freedom 55 Financial‘s support for the tournament has come through The Key to Giving™, the national corporate citizenship program of Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life. Freedom 55 Financial staff, management and advisors devote their time and enthusiasm to the tournament as organizers, volunteers and leaders to help ensure the success of the event.
For details on the tournament, updates on celebrity players, photos from past events and other information, visit the new website of the Freedom 55 Financial Thunder Bay Hockey Celebrity Golf Classic, www.thunderbaycelebritygolf.ca.
For information on sponsorship opportunities, please contact Tom Mihaljevic, Freedom 55 Financial, at (807) 343-4788 ext: 522.