Charity lunch with Maple Leafs GM cancelled

A public event that’s generated a lot of interest in Thunder Bay has had to be cancelled.

The Brian Burke and Friends Luncheon in support of Special Olympics was scheduled for this Thursday at Fort William Historical Park. Event organizer Tony LaChimea said the Toronto Maple Leafs general manager was called away on hockey business, and will not be able to make the event.

All 300 tickets for the luncheon had been sold out at $60 each. The event was also to feature a number of local hockey stars.

Tony LaChimea, a luncheon organizer, said they will try to reschedule the event, but added that everyone will be given full refunds.

The Ontario Winter Special Olympics are being hosted in Thunder Bay in January. The cancellation of the luncheon is a significant setback to the fundraising efforts for the event, and LaChimea is encouraging city residents to continue to donate or volunteer to make the event a success.