Canucks Fans Help Raise $7.1 Million for Children's Charities

Vancouver, BC- Thanks to the incredible generosity of Canucks fans and partners, the Canucks for Kids Fund (CFKF) is excited to announce that $7.1 million was raised for children's charities in BC during the 2019.20 regular season. This amount far exceeds the previous CFKF record of $4.7 million set in 2018.19. As part of the granting process, over $1.2 million has been donated to COVID-19 relief efforts.

"We are so grateful to be able to support both our core beneficiaries as well as some new worthy causes during these challenging times," said Paolo Aquilini, President of the Canucks for Kids Fund. "Raising $7.1 million couldn't come at a better time. It allows us to support children's charities now, while also giving us the ability to hold back some funds to ensure we can support charities at some level next season as well, particularly with so much uncertainty. The generosity of our fans also gave us the ability to expand our reach this year to include relief for those hit hardest from COVID-19.

The CFKF is dedicated to assisting charities that support children's health and wellness, foster the development of grassroots hockey and facilitate and encourage education in British Columbia. This year, the CFKF is proud to generously support its three core beneficiaries once again, including the Canucks Autism Network, Canuck Place Children's Hospice and BC Children's Hospital Foundation. More than 20 additional BC charities also received grants from the CFKF, including many that offer COVID-19 relief support to families and seniors. Please see full list below.

"We would also like to extend our deepest appreciation and gratitude to former Vancouver Canucks Season Ticket Member, Alice Bacon and her family, for the incredible $1.8 million estate gift to the Canucks for Kids Fund," continued Paolo Aquilini. "This was an unexpected and transformational gift that has helped us help so much more during this extraordinary time."

Partners who have supported the CFKF this year include, Rogers Communications, TD Bank, Labatt Breweries of Canada, Toyota Pacific Dealers Association, PepsiCo, Pharmasave West, Lindt and Sprüngli Canada, Mark Anthony Group, Hemlock Printers and Britton Diamonds.

With this year's record fundraising total, the CFKF has now granted more than $71 million to BC charities supporting kids and families since inception 34 years ago. The CFKF fundraises annually through several successful events including: the Jake Milford Canucks Charity Invitational Golf Tournament, the Sports Celebrities Festival (in partnership with Special Olympics BC), the Dice & Ice Gala, the CFKF Telethon and of course the highly successful CFKF 50/50 program.

2019.20 Highlights

Canucks for Kids Fund 50/50 Program

• A record-breaking year, with an incredible $9.5 million in total 50/50 jackpots, with half going to the winners and half to the CFKF
• The largest jackpot of the season was a "super jackpot" on December 10, 2019 vs the Toronto Maple Leafs that saw a jackpot of $1,392,250
• Hosted three dedicated COVID-19 relief raffles during the NHL season pause that resulted in $1,386,250 in total jackpots
• Volunteers are the backbone of the program's success, with 9,102 volunteer hours logged in 2019.20

COVID-19 Relief Efforts - Emergency Grants

• In response to the COVID-19 crisis, an emergency response fund was set up to grant to non-traditional CFKF beneficiaries, such as Senior Services of BC, Safe Care BC and the Greater Vancouver Foodbank
• More than $1.2 million has been granted since March 2020 specifically supporting COVID-19 Relief efforts across the province

COVID-19 Relief Efforts - Lunch Program

• The Aquilini Family, with support from the CFKF, Canucks Sports & Entertainment (CSE) and the Toptable Group have been producing 3,500 meals per week for The Salvation Army and the Strathcona Community Centre since early April to provide food security to those who need it most
• Since the inception of the program, 50,908 meals have been produced by members of CSE's hospitality team and office staff

Sedin Family Foundation Legacy Project

Complete list of CFKF 2019.20 Beneficiaries

• BC Children's Hospital Foundation
• Boys & Girls Club of South Coast BC
• Britannia Hockey Academy
• Canadian Mental Health Association
• Canuck Place Children's Hospice
• Canucks Autism Network
• Canucks Centre for BC Hockey
• Canucks Family Education Centre
• Canucks Power PLAY Program
• East End Boys Club
• Family Services of Greater Vancouver
• Fin's Friends Character Education Program
• Foodbanks BC
• Foundry BC
• Greater Vancouver Foodbank
• Kids Help Phone
• KidSafe Project
• Mackie's Place
• PALS Autism Society
• Safe Care BC
• Salvation Arm
• Sarah McLachlan School of Music
• Senior Services of BC
• Special Olympics of BC
• YWCA Metro Vancouver - Crabtree Corner