RELEASE: Fourth annual Dave's Drive launches with Sport Central

EDMONTON, AB- The Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation (EOCF) and Sport Central are excited to launch the fourth annual Dave's Drive in memory of legendary Oilers enforcer Dave Semenko.
The campaign runs for two weeks starting November 9 and has a main objective of creating awareness around the support available for disadvantaged children in the community. Dave's Drive invites Edmontonians to donate funds and gently-used sports equipment to Sport Central while encouraging low-income families and their children to contact Sport Central for help getting outfitted for sport.
The EOCF has dedicated net proceeds of their multi-day progressive online 50/50 raffle that started this morning and runs until November 11 to Dave's Drive. Additionally, 40 new hockey helmets are being donated by the Oilers to support ongoing safe participation and play for Sport Central's youth.
Long-time teammate and dear friend of Dave Semenko, Oilers Hall of Famer Kevin Lowe, will be joining Dave's Drive as official ambassador for the campaign for the third year in a row.
"Dave was really one of the Oilers greats," said Lowe. "He was always so passionate about helping others. Dave's Drive continues his legacy and helps raise funds while providing equipment for Edmonton's youth so every child who wants to play gets in the game. Dave made sure his teammates had the freedom to play the game we all love, so this is an amazing way to remember him and help every kid in our community who needs it."
Semenko had a 40-year relationship with the Oilers franchise, playing an important role on the teams throughout the 1980s, including two Stanley Cup championships in 1984 and 1985. He was also a scout in the 1990s and 2000s, and later became an official Oilers ambassador.
Semenko lost a courageous battle to cancer in 2017. In his memory, the EOCF and Sport Central continue to help the children of low-income families get the gear they need to access sport opportunities.
"Helping disadvantaged families and their children get the equipment needed to play is important work. We have always relied on the people of Edmonton to join our team by donating funds, gently-used equipment or, this year, purchasing 50/50 tickets for the draw dedicated to Dave's memory," said Sheldon Oleksyn, Executive Director of Sport Central.
To learn more about Dave's Drive, visit
SportCentral.org/DavesDrive
.
To purchase 50/50 tickets, click on
EdmontonOilers.com/5050
.