Steve Bluett's story is, by itself, one of a kind. His visit to Rogers Place on February 9 personified "We Create I Remember Moments" in a personal, profound way. Bluett, a retired oilfield worker, was diagnosed with terminal, stage 4 brain cancer last summer. He doesn't know how much time he has remaining to share with his wife Audrey and close friends. Rather than flicking through photo albums and reminiscing about life over the past six decades, Bluett wants to create new memories for his friends and family with the precious time he has left.
Bluett lives hockey. For 35 years he was a statistician for junior hockey clubs around the Edmonton area, including the Edmonton Oil Kings. When Natalie Minckler, Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation (EOCF) Executive Director, offered up a dinner for eight in the Oilers Dressing Room as an auction package in the ATCO Edmonton Sun Christmas Charity Auction this past November, Bluett was eager to start bidding.
"As a lifelong hockey fan, to get an opportunity to see what goes on behind the scenes of a professional hockey franchise, to see things that sometimes you only hear about, but never experience; this was just too amazing to not bid on this experience," said Bluett.
Bluett was attending a concert in St. Albert during the last hour of the three-day auction. At the concert's intermission, he checked his bid on his cell phone and much to his surprise, he was not only the highest bidder of the Oilers dinner package - but was the most generous bidder of the entire 196-auction lot. Bluett and his entourage arrived in style for their big night as a limousine pulled up to the main doors of Rogers Place off 104 Ave. But rather than head up the stairs to Ford Hall, the typical path of travel for fans, the group was welcomed and escorted back of house and into the iconic Dressing Room.
The Oilers vs. Ducks game played in the background as the Rogers Place Food and Beverage Team - the same one that serves the players when they're home - created culinary delights for the guests in the team kitchen.
"For me, it was interesting to see how well organized everything is from the food preparation for the players, the incredible cleanliness that is in place and how you can see the care that is taken to ensure that everything is done in a first-class manner," Bluett said. "There are no shortcuts taken to ensure success on a daily basis."
In addition to EOCF staff, the group of eight was hosted by OEG's Vice-Chair Kevin Lowe. Bluett thoroughly enjoyed his time with the former Oiler. "The interaction with Kevin was fantastic," said Bluett. "He really cared about my terminal illness and showed great empathy and understanding of what I'm going through.
"It was also great listening to him and the pride Kevin has in the future of Edmonton and especially his work in helping develop the ICE District. I felt honoured and privileged to have spent great quality time with Kevin as he is a first-class individual with great family values and a big heart."
Though packages such as this are limited due to their exclusivity, they can often be found in the EOCF's online auctions, running four times a year at OilersFoundation.ca. And while the experiences can vary in nature, one thing's for certain, it takes an army of dedicated staff to make the magic happen.
Creating I Remember Moments…it's what OEG staff do so well. But more importantly, helping a family create new memories they can cherish forever, that's priceless.
