Published August 16, 2023 12:55
Source https://www.seabears.ca/sea-bears-donate-2023-50-50-proceeds-to-bgc-winnipeg-and-true-north-youth-foundation
WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Sea Bears of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (CEBL) have donated the proceeds from their 2023 Cambrian Credit Union 50/50 program to BGC Winnipeg and the True North Youth Foundation (TNYF), two of Winnipeg’s leading youth charities. The Sea Bears would like to extend their sincerest gratitude to their fans for participating in the draws, which will now help countless youth in the community.
The Sea Bears announced on June 7 a two-year partnership with BGC Winnipeg, which included a $60,000 donation from team owner and chairman David Asper toward enhanced year-round basketball programming for underserved local youth. Also pledged was 70 per cent of the team’s Cambrian Credit Union 50/50 proceeds to further support youth basketball camps and clinics.
Formerly known as the Boys and Girls Club of Winnipeg, BGC Winnipeg provides underserved children from the ages of 6-18 with the chance to play organized basketball entirely free of charge, covering uniforms, shoes, transportation and coaching fees. Basketball is the organization’s largest and fastest-growing program.
“Our kids have been thrilled to follow the very successful first season of the Sea Bears,” said BGC Winnipeg president and CEO Ron Brown. “Basketball is an integral part of our sport programming and the 50/50 proceeds from Sea Bears games will help to ensure that there are no barriers for our members who want to play. Thank you to the Sea Bears and their fans for providing this support!”
Sea Bears players also participated in activities with BGC Winnipeg during the regular season as part of the team’s ongoing commitment to the community.
All the remaining funds will go to the TNYF, the charitable arm of True North Sports and Entertainment. The TNYF strives to provide consistent and innovative programming through its core programs, the Winnipeg Jets Hockey Academy (WJHA), Camp Manitou and Project 11. These programs take a “hand up over hand out” approach in encouraging youth to achieve their full potential through enriching educational, sports-based and character-building programming that addresses key physical, social, emotional and intellectual needs.
“We congratulate the Sea Bears on their exciting inaugural season and express our gratitude for making the True North Youth Foundation a part of it through their in-game 50/50 program,” said Dwayne Green, executive director of the True North Youth Foundation. “Thanks to the generosity of Sea Bears fans, this donation will go a long way to support underserved Manitoba youth with long-term resources and mentorship that will have a significant positive impact on the course of their lives.”
The TNYF is proud to have positively impacted more than 111,000 Manitoba youth over the past year.
The Sea Bears organization will now turn their focus to planning and community initiatives before the team takes the court again for the 2024 season. Be sure to follow @wpgseabears on all social channels for regular content and updates.