RELEASE: EOCF invests more than $17 million into Oil Country

EDMONTON, AB - The Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation (EOCF) announced today that more than $17 million was invested into Oil Country during the 2022-23 NHL season due to the unwavering support and generosity of Albertans.

"I am pleased and honoured to make this announcement today on behalf of the EOCF and our community partners," said Corey Smith, EOCF Board Chair. "The unwavering support and generosity of Albertans has enabled the EOCF to invest more than $17 million back into Oil Country this season, making a significant difference for thousands of vulnerable community members.

"This money will help grow the game of hockey and make it accessible for all kids in Oil Country, help deliver programs aimed at those most vulnerable in our communities, and allow us to step up with timely support when families across Oil Country need us most. So, whether it was through volunteering, charitable donations, or purchasing 50/50 tickets throughout the Oilers season and playoff run, I want to say thank you for your support.

"I also want to thank this year's charitable partners for their unwavering giving spirit and dedication to bettering our community. Through these organizations and individuals, we are able to make a life-changing impact in our communities, our country, and the world."

Since 2001, the EOCF has been a proud supporter of Oil Country and our community's success. The EOCF's main goals continue to be to grow the game of hockey for boys and girls in Oil Country, meet the needs of Edmonton's downtown community by engaging with organizations who are focused on delivering programs aimed at those most vulnerable, and stepping up in times of community need and crisis.

The EOCF believes deeply that youth participation in sport is a key to the future success of our communities. Not only does it fuel healthy habits, academic success and mental health, it cultivates our future leaders, ignites inclusivity and leads to a safer, more prosperous Oil Country. Through partners like KidSport, Free Play for Kids and many more, the EOCF is helping enable youth hockey programming with a goal to increase participation of under-represented groups in our community.

"Sport, when done well, is about coming together. This last year we did sport well! We saw a community really build and I'm excited to see what we can do together this coming season."

-- Tim Adams, Chief Executive Officer, Free Play for Kids

"KidSport is immensely grateful to the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation (EOCF) for their incredible support over the past two years, totaling over $3 million in generous donations to launch and sustain the KidSport Oil Country Hockey Assist Program. Their unwavering commitment has allowed us to remove financial barriers, giving countless young athletes the opportunity to participate in hockey. The EOCF's support has had a profound impact on our community, empowering children to develop valuable skills, build self-confidence, and forge lifelong friendships. We extend our sincerest thanks to the EOCF and their supporters for their remarkable generosity, as together, we continue to make a lasting difference in the lives of local youth through the power of sport."

-- Kelly Oehlerking, Executive Director, KidSport

Through working with partners like the Ben Stelter Fund, Alberta Cancer Foundation, Wounded Warriors, the Canadian Red Cross and many more, the EOCF is committed to stepping up in times of great need for our community and our country.

"The Ben Stelter Fund is very grateful for the support from the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation. Thanks to the incredibly generous Oilers fans and the 50/50 program, we have created several magical experiences for children battling brain cancer and created a first-of-its-kind medical equipment program within the Stollery Children's Hospital to help families get medical equipment that isn't covered."

-- Mike Stelter, Director, Ben Stelter Fund

"Thanks to the generous funding, we have invested in research within the University of Alberta on a liquid biopsy study. This study will help diagnose different brain tumour types much faster in a much less invasive way that won't require brain surgery. The fourth pillar of the Ben Stelter Fund is on venture philanthropy and the team is continually looking at innovative projects to invest in, to help further the fight against pediatric cancers."

-- Ashif Mawji, Director, Ben Stelter Fund

"The Alberta Cancer Foundation is beyond grateful to Oil Country, and all of the partners that come together to support great causes in our community. For the Cross Cancer Institute, this means more support for made-in-Alberta solutions - like leading edge research in cellular therapy - that continue to provide better outcomes for patients right here in Edmonton. This means more lives saved from cancer. More moments with loved ones. More hope for a future."

Video: COMMUNITY | Ben 50/50 Winner

-- Lindsay Gilbert, Director Philanthropy, Alberta Cancer Foundation

"The line of duty deaths of Edmonton Police Constables Brett Ryan and Travis Jordan in March was a tragic reminder of the dangers our First Responders face every day to keep our communities safe. It is thanks to proud partnerships like we have established with the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation through the 50/50 that we're able to respond to the mental health needs of Edmonton's first responders and their families in their time of need."

-- Scott Maxwell, Executive Director, Wounded Warriors Canada

"I want to extend our deepest thanks and appreciation to the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation and to Oilers fans for their incredible support for the 2023 Alberta Fires appeal," says Pat Quealey, vice president of Alberta and Northwest Territories, Canadian Red Cross. "Our teams continue to meet with municipalities and Indigenous leadership to offer support with their recovery. This includes the Immediate Support to Not-for-Profit Organizations program, which provides funding assistance to front-line local and neighbouring community service organizations supporting people impacted by the wildfires. This assistance is possible with thanks to donations like the one provided by the Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation. Thank you for helping the Red Cross reach communities across the province that were impacted by the wildfires."

-- Pat Quealey, Vice President, Canadian Red Cross

Thanks to the generosity of our valued hockey fans, Oilers players and alumni, the EOCF board of directors, OEG employees and the Katz family, the Foundation has contributed to more than 2,900 charitable organizations and minor hockey programs across Oil Country since 2001.

Complete list of this year's EOCF donation recipients below:

• 4 Wing Cold Lake Military Family Resource Centre
• Adaptive Sports Association
• Alberta Basketball Association
• Alberta Cancer Foundation
• Alberta Lung Association
• Alberta Soccer Association
• Arts on the Ave Edmonton Society
• Autism Edmonton (Autism Society of Edmonton Area)
• Ben Stelter Fund
• Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society
• Bissell Centre
• Boys & Girls Clubs Big Brothers Big Sisters of Edmonton & Area
• Canada-Ukraine Foundation
• Canadian Tire JumpStart Charities
• CASA Mental Health
• Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre
• Christmas Bureau of Edmonton
• Crystal Kids Youth Centre
• Cystic Fibrosis Canada, Edmonton & Northern Alberta Chapter
• Dogs with Wings Assistance Dog Society
• Edmonton City Centre Church Corporation (e4c)
• Edmonton Down Syndrome Society
• Edmonton Food Bank
• Edmonton Humane Society
• Edmonton Police Foundation
• Edmonton Rodeo Cowboys Benevolent Foundation
• Enoch Minor Hockey
• Food Banks Alberta
• Free Play for Kids
• Friends of The Steadward Centre
• Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation
• Hockey Alberta Foundation
• Whitecourt Minor Hockey Association
• Hockey Education Reaching Out Society (HEROS)
• Homes For Heroes Foundation
• Hope Mission
• Inner City Youth Development Association
• Kids Help Phone
• Kids Up Front Edmonton
• Kids with Cancer Society of Northern Alberta
• KidSport
• Little Warriors
• MacEwan University Foundation (Centre for Sexual Diversity & Inclusion)
• Make-A-Wish Foundation of Canada - Edmonton
• McCoy Family Charity Foundation
• Mental Health Foundation
• MS Society
• MusiCounts
• NAIT Foundation
• Play On! Canada
• Red Cross
• Ronald McDonald House Charities Alberta
• Royal Alexander Hospital Foundation
• Santas Anonymous
• Second Chance Animal Rescue Society (SCARS)
• Shock Trauma Air Rescue Service Foundation (STARS)
• Special Olympics Edmonton
• Spirit North
• Sport Central
• Spot On Hockey
• Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation
• Terry Fox Foundation
• The King's University
• The Mustard Seed
• The South Alberta Light Horse Regiment Foundation
• United Way
• University of Alberta
• WINGS of Providence
• Winnifred Stewart Association
• Wounded Warriors Canada
• YESS: Youth Empowerment & Support Services
• Zoe's Animal Rescue