OTTAWA- Eugene Melnyk, CEO, owner and governor of the Ottawa Senators and Canadian Tire Centre, announced today that for the 15th consecutive season, the Senators will honour the men, women and families of the Canadian Armed Forces on Tuesday, Nov. 6, when the team hosts the New Jersey Devils.
Senators set to welcome more than 3,000 Soldiers and their families
More than 3,000 members of the Canadian Armed Forces and their families will attend this year's event on behalf of Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation Night corporate supporters, season-seat members, Eugene Melnyk and the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club. Mr. Melnyk and the Senators have hosted more than 33,000 members of the Armed Forces and their families since the program started in 2004. In acknowledgment of Mr. Melnyk's long-time support of the Canadian Military, on Jan. 14, 2015, he was named the honorary colonel of 414 Electronic Warfare Support Squadron during a ceremony in Ottawa.
"Canada is at its best when it protects, promotes and preserves our freedoms at home and around the world," said Senators CEO, owner and governor Eugene Melnyk. "Nobody does this with greater distinction than the Canadian Forces. Everywhere they go, they exhibit a sense of character, commitment and cooperation that do us proud. These are the values that have inspired the rebuild of the Ottawa Senators. We are proud to continue the tradition we started here, to honour the leadership and service of our men and women in uniform."
"For fifteen seasons, the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club and their fans have shown their appreciation to the women and men serving our country in the Canadian Armed Forces," said General Jonathan H. Vance, Chief of the Defence Staff. "Know that we are grateful for their support."
Since 2008, the Ottawa Senators Hockey Club and its Foundation, in partnership with corporate supporters of its annual Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation Night, has been investing in programs to support Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) serving members, veterans and their families. More than $850,000 has been invested in:
- The establishment of the Military Family Fund-Sens Foundation Endowment Fund that has awarded 220 CAF members and their families a bursary to attend one of the three Algonquin College campuses in Ontario; and
- Generating important awareness for more than 2,400 veterans sleeping on Canadian streets on any given night while investing funds to support the issue of their homelessness.
Funds raised as part of the Nov. 6 CAF Appreciation game will benefit Support Our Troops to specifically support family resiliency projects like summer camp bursaries for dependents of CAF members. More than 40 children and youth will have an opportunity to attend camp in the summer of 2019 as a result. Support Our Troops is an official qualified donee of Her Majesty in right of Canada for the CAF community. It was established to meet the unique needs and special challenges faced by members of the CAF community as a result of military service. It provides a platform to allow a range of supporters to show their care, compassion and support to serving members, veterans and their families.
PRE-GAME ACTIVITIES: Senators players will be wearing special camouflage jerseys during warm-up that will be signed and made available via auction with proceeds going to Support Our Troops. These jerseys can be viewed at auction tables in Club Red and sections 227 and 203 or via the web at sensbid.gesture.com beginning in the first intermission of Tuesday's game, with bidding ending at 9:15 p.m. EST. on Tuesday.
Fans are asked to be in their seats for the opening of the pre-game ceremonies in order to witness a special ceremonial puck drop by General Jonathan H. Vance, chief of the defence staff. The anthems will also be sung by two members of the Canadian Armed Forces and will feature the Canadian Armed Forces flag party.
CORPORATE PARTNERS: Corporate partners for Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation Night include Canadian Tire, Calian, Decisive Technologies, Lockheed Martin, Thales, Accora Village, Algonquin College, Bell Helicopter, Boeing, KPMG, Babcock Canada and Telus.
TICKETS: For tickets to the 15th Annual Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation Night, please visit ticketmaster.ca.
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