A Giant-sized Community Heroes weekend is on tap at CN Centre as the Prince George Cougars welcome the Vancouver Giants Saturday (6pm) and Sunday (2pm).
$50,000 worth of tickets for both games have been purchased for our community heroes via the Cougars ownership, this will include firefighters, RCMP officers, medical staff, teachers, and other essential frontline workers.
The weekend will also feature a Mega 50/50 Jackpot on and Cougars Director of Business Taylor Dakers says while you can buy tickets for the draw online, the buzz gets even more exciting once fans are in the building.
“That’s when we see the number, when it hits 50 (thousand) and then its starts growing up and up and up and you see those lineups at the kiosks – it becomes a real buzz that is for sure.”
“The beneficiaries, the groups that are benefitting from the Mega Jackpot from the last couple of years has gone to 130, 140 and, 150 (thousand dollars) and that is the Prince George Community Foundation and Spirit of the North – they are really big in driving ticket sales and 50/50 sales.”
Dakers noted the weekend has seen steady growth over the years and the Cougars are happy to host with the support of several sponsors.
“There are so many departments, so many groups that do great work whether they are front line workers or firefighters, forest firefighters or teachers and even hospice workers.”
“There is a lot out there.”
“It is a pretty cool weekend to be apart of with all the vehicles and all of the special events happening in the building. We try and do something special at puck drop and highlight all of these groups in different ways and is kind of a big first hurrah.”
Proceeds will support the Prince George Community Foundation, Spirit of the North Healthcare Foundation, the Prince George Firefighters Charitable Society, and RCMP Victim Services.
The weekend will also feature PG native and star Giants forward Cameron Schmidt who is third in WHL scoring with 27 points.
In addition, the Cougars will be a part of Nickelodeon nights across the Western Hockey League this season.
The Cougars will host the Seattle Thunderbirds on January 4th in support of the Children’s Miracle Network.
In all 16 of the WHL’s Canadian markers, teams will celebrate a Nickelodeon theme night, with special theme jerseys, branded creative, giveaway items, and in-game activations.Â
The funds raised through Children’s Miracle Network programs go directly to local children’s hospital foundations.
Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].