Bell Celebrity Skate breaks record with $102k raised for youth projects

Tuesday night 650 participants raised a record-breaking $102,000 for Rotary youth projects at the Bell Celebrity Skate, hosted at GFL Memorial Gardens with the Soo Greyhounds.

“The Bell Celebrity Skate was an overwhelming success,” said Bell Celebrity Skate Co-Chair Rodger Rosset in a news release. “It was heartwarming to see the smiles of the kids skating along with their Greyhound heroes, all while contributing to Rotary’s worthwhile causes with their donations.”

The funds will support Rotary Youth Projects, with many local youth hockey teams taking part in the event as a group fundraiser.

Elementary-aged skaters joined the Greyhounds on the ice where they got their photos taken with the OHL celebrities and collected autographs on their souvenir event program. Autographs were also seen on jerseys, helmets, skates, and even one croc. This year’s top individual winner was Camden Wardell from Atomic Black Knights, who raised $2,220 and won a Nintendo Switch.

“This amazing event had a huge turnout that achieved an outstanding goal, and Bell is absolutely thrilled to participate annually,” said Alain Morin, Manager for Network Access at Bell and a volunteer at the skate. “As a former hockey dad and coach, I know that every little bit counts, and the team fundraising will give a much-needed boost to many families involved in organized sports.”

For 27 years, the Soo Greyhounds Hockey Club has partnered with Rotary to create an exclusive and unforgettable experience for participants, and this year’s attendance was the highest it has been in over a decade.

‘‘Every year it never ceases to amaze me the love and support people of Sault Ste. Marie & District provide to the Rotary Club through the Bell Celebrity Skate,” said Greyhounds Director of Public Relations & Hockey Administration Gerry Liscumb Jr. “Twenty-four players and coaches participated in the event and to say it was memorable would be an understatement. We sincerely appreciate being asked to take part in this event year-after-year and have a small hand in benefiting Rotary youth projects in our community”