THUNDER BAY – Laurie Drew is off to Buffalo to watch a hometown hero play an NHL game in his new hockey home.
Drew was the lucky entrant whose name was drawn on Wednesday as the grand prize-winner in the Carter Hutton Hockey Raffle, and wins a return flights to Buffalo, two night’s accommodation, dinner for two, a pair of tickets to a Sabres home game, two signed team jerseys and a meet and greet with Hutton, who earlier this summer signed with the team as an unrestricted free agent.
The draw helped raise more than $10,000 for the George Jeffrey Children’s Foundation, said executive director Steve MacDonald.
“The draw is really important for increasing access to care at George Jeffrey Children’s Centre. We’re diligently working to increase access and enhance services,” MacDonald said.
“The support of our community is important to what goes on at George Jeffrey. Yes, they do receive government funding, but it’s the support of our community that helps bridge the gap.”
More than 1,700 clients received care from the centre last year, a number that continues to grow each year.
From a program to help children with feeding difficulties to helping youngsters with verbal or written struggles communicate the program helps kids with learning and physical disabilities successfully navigate the world around them.
MNP’s David Fitzpatrick, whose company sponsored the raffle, said it’s an important cause to get behind.
“The work that they do here is absolutely incredible,” Fitzpatrick said.
