Scotiabank Hockey for Alzheimers 2013

I volunteered for another cause this past weekend.  It was the Scotiabank Hockey for Alzheimers at the Canlan Ice Sports Centre in North Vancouver.  I volunteered for this event last year when the Pro-Am Baycrest company was leading the way.  This time, it was under the BC Alzheimers's charge and it was just as smooth as before.

This cause has Gordie Howe behind it.  Diagnosed himself with Alzheimers in 2007, he's been the face of this cause for many years.  This was the second year of this tournament in BC.   The Pro-Am was held in Toronto this year, however, Mr. Hockey was here all weekend long.  Its a tournament where hockey teams register and the team that fund raises the most, gets to play the All-Star team of NHL Alumni's.

It kicked off on Friday, November 15, 2013.  A luncheon was held where Mr. Hockey was in attendance and the teams were drafted.  Each team had an NHL alumni playing with them throughout the tournament. Accreditations were handed out to each attendee and they were to wear these the whole weekend.  This was a challenge as most teams hit The Roxy the night before.  They usually ended up on the floor of the Roxy.  The tournament started on Saturday, bright and early.  This is when I started my shift.

I was given a red toque and a Canucks scarf and was positioned as a greeter!  I welcomed the players and sent them to the registration desk, Massage therapists to their area to set up and just helped out in general with locker room duties, setting up and unlocking doors and locking up afterwards.  It was freezing at the Canlan.  My fingers and toes were frozen to the bone.  I had to go to the bathroom a few times during my shift just so I could run them under hot water to get some feeling back.  My toes unfortunately, didn't get the same treatment, although, they probably would of loved the same.  All volunteers were given a red toque to identify them and a Canucks scarf after their first shift.

I already know most of the Alumni's from previous signings and events that I've worked.  They're getting to know me quite well now too.  I met a Vancouver Giants photographer, Jock McGrandle, and he took some great pics of myself and of the tournament.  He contacted me today with these great photos of the event. These are his pictures below.  All pics are copyrighted:

Gary Valk was there for most of the day.  He had to leave around 1pm to get ready for his show with Don Taylor on Sportsnet as the Canucks were about to play that evening. He signed some autographs for the professional hockey card autograph seekers who came to the event just for that.  I spoke to one of them and he told me that he has over 50,000 hockey cards and programs.  He's been following the Canucks since 1978 and its become an addiction for him.  He left happy.  Gary Valk is a really nice guy, by the way, and he is really, really tall.

Most of the '94 Vancouver Canucks were there along with the Canucks equipment manager, Jamie Hendricks.  Other NHL Alumni's like Theo Fleury and older Canucks alumni's such as Gary Nyland, Garth Butcher, Jack McIlhargy and Dennis Kearns were also there.  My favourite player of the day was Theo Fleury.  He was here last year too and he was such a nice guy and really funny.  No different this year.  Myself and a few other volunteers wanted to take a picture with him.  The NHL Alumni handler, Carolyn, was amazing.  She arranged for Fleury to sign some pucks, his book and take a few pics with us.  So, here is my pic with him. I'm bundled up to the nines and had just taken off my toque so my hair was still out of place. But it was my only chance to get a picture taken with him.  Such a nice guy! 

This was taken the last day of the tournament.  After my shift ended, I went upstairs to warm up and eat my lunch which they provided.  I had the same as the day before.  Grilled cheese sandwich with minestrone soup with a hot chocolate.  The teams, NHL alumnis and volunteers all ate together.  This area over looked the three ice rinks so you could watch the games in warmth from there.  While I was up there, the All-Star game started.  So, I watched a bit of it with Gary Nyland sitting in front of me in the chairs.

I left shortly after taking this picture as I wanted to get home and take a nap before the Canucks played the Dallas Starts at 5pm.  A game which they ended up losing.  Oh well.  Overall, I had a great time volunteering with this organization.  Anytime I can support a cause while being involved in sports is always ideal for me.

Just like the yellow flowers that you see in support of cancer month, the blue flowers represent Alzheimers.  I wore mine on my tag.  The ladies I volunteered with, all seemed to have some story to share as to how it has affected them personally and as sad as I was to learn about Gordie Howe's disease, I'm glad that he hasn't given up on finding a cure and is involved with great events like this, lending his name whenever he can.  He's one of my favourite alumni along with Stan Smyl that I've ever met during my 10 yrs of volunteering.  I hope to be back again next year.

Canucks at the BC Lions game Nov 1st, 2011

Yes, they were there again at BC Place watching on the sidelines.  BC Lions were playing Calgary Stampeders.

This is the only picture of them there that night.  They stayed until halftime.  Kevin told the Lions that they had an early game against Toronto the next day at 4pm so they couldn't stay out too long.  They needed to be up early. 

Vancouver Whitecaps Volunteer Appreciation Wrap Up Party 2013

This year, our end of season volunteer party was held at the most interactive place I could think of.  BC Sports Hall of Fame, located inside Gate A at BC Place.  It was my first time in this venue so I was really excited to see all the really interesting stuff in there.  There was tons for the volunteers to do.

We started off with a word from our Chief Operating Officer, Rachel Lewis, welcoming the army of volunteers that came out tonight.  Followed by an awards ceremony.  This is the inaugural year for awards to be presented to four deserving volunteers.  The Bob Lenarduzzi Leadership Award, The Carl Valentine Spirit Award, The Rookie Award and the one most dearest to my heart, The Hazel Boettcher Rising Star Award.  All of the recipients received a plaque and Whitecaps FC merchandise.

This was the picture of Hazel that I had propped up on a table while I read out the speech I prepared for the volunteers so they knew who she was and why she was being honoured this way.

This was also the first time recognizing our long-time service volunteers.  Most of them have been with the club anywhere from 5 - 20yrs.  Their service and dedication was finally recognized tonight.  I, myself having eight years of service with the Whitecaps.  We all received a certificate of recognition, which I will be adding to the certificates of events I've received for volunteering for in the past, on my wall. :)

Next on the agenda were the door prizes.  Gershon and David  were asked to come up and help distribute the prizes to the winners.  They were naturals at at this.

Once the awards and speeches were done, it was off to mingling with the crew!  I was asked to show Gershon Koffee around and introduce him to some of the volunteers, since he was by himself.  He was soon joined by David Ousted.  I ended up taking them both to the Snap Tap picture booth where they were acosted by volunteers wanting them in their pics.  They were great fun, putting on costumes and enjoyed meeting the volunteers.  While waiting in line with my friend, Alana, we decided to take some pics with them.

Then we did the Snap Tap picture.  If you look over Koffie's shoulder, you'll see Kenny Miller photo bombing our pic!

Gershon and David were great sports and they obviously had fun with it.  It's always fun when players show up and become part of our volunteer family.

The staff, volunteers and players all mingled and ate some really nice appys til it was time to leave.  Each volunteer was given a thank you gift for the their hard work and dedication throughout the season.  It included refurbished Whitecaps Flags string bags.  Here's a little background video about these bags and why they are so special.

From Banners to Bags - Vancouver Whitecaps FC

I also received a Tim Hortons Tumbler with a coupon for a free coffee, a thank you card that had a $50 Sport Chek gift certificate inside.  This was an extra bonus for me as I was the Volunteer Development and Recognition Coordinator.  Everyone got the same thing except for the gift card.  Can't wait to spend that.

I stayed behind til the last volunteer left and made sure each one received a gift as they walked out the door.  It was a great event and everyone had a good time in this fun and unique venue.  I'm so glad we had our party here.  If you haven't been here yet, I totally recommend it.    My volunteers were spread out everywhere being interactive with the sports activities in the venue.  So, comes the end of another Vancouver Whitecaps FC season.  We didn't make the playoffs this year, but we had so many other things to celebrate like Camillo winning the Golden Boot and the emergence of Kekuteh Mannneh.  Once they have a new coach in place, it will be all systems go again in three months.  Til then, we'll all just enjoy the break.