Blazers join Team Recchi in fundraising effort
The Royal Inland Hospital Foundation is hoping Kamloops Blazers fans will help push them past their goal of $3-million to build a new intensive-care unit.
Fundraising ambassador Mark Recchi, three-time Stanley Cup champion and co-owner of the Blazers, spoke to reporters at Interior Savings Centre today (Aug. 12) about the new partnership between the hockey club and the RIH Foundation.
During home games throughout the 2011-2012 Western Hockey League season, fans will be reminded after each Blazer goal that they can text the word 'Mark' to 30333 to donate $5 to the RIH Foundation.
"Obviously, growing up in Kamloops and being born in the hospital there, it's very special to try and help," Recchi said.
"This is a great honour. It's something very special and near to my heart."
Dave Chyzowski, the Blazers' director of sales and marketing, said the organization is proud to be involved with Team Recchi.
"We are extremely excited," he said.
"We've put together a pretty cool little program.
"Hopefully we score lots of goals this year."
Recchi also unveiled the latest fundraising totals. He said Team Recchi efforts have so far raised more than $2 million — leaving $916,993 to go.
"The community's jumped on board and it's just been wonderful," Chyzowski said.
"It's just a pleasure and an honour to be a part of it."
The Blazers join Telus, Zimmer Wheaton, Aberdeen Mall and the Iccha/Wish Fund as contributing sponsors for the Mark Recchi 365 Challenge.
There is already a text-to-donate aspect to the challenge, which was unveiled earlier this year. Donors can text 'RIHF' to 30333 to give $10 to the foundation.
Recchi's involvement with the RIH Foundation's fundraising was announced in February, with the goal of raising $3-million to help the hospital complete its $11-million ICU renovations.
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