
I have been part of Hockey Helps The Homeless for 9 years, and a board member for 8 years. HHTH hosts a charity hockey tournament at UBC with two NHL alumni per team, with all participants being required to donate a minimum of $500, and raise additional funds if they are able.
In my first year with HHTH Vancouver, we raised just over $100K - a remarkable achievement for a 3 year old charity. In 2019 we topped out at $740,000 raised.
While I'm not saying this was all me, what I am saying it was all you.
Our peer-to-peer fundraising accounts for nearly half of our funds raised (with corporate contributions accounting for the other).
What does HHTH do with those funds? We fill the gap between government operating dollars and capital project costs - in Vancouver. We help the people you see on the street - and most importantly, those you don't.
We retrofit community kitchens, we buy fuel-efficient vehicles for food delivery, job interview ride services, and shelter maintenance vehicles. We support entire programs that fall between the cracks of government mandates; at-risk youth sports engagement programs, focused addiction and recovery treatment, and at-risk youth housing. We also grant program-specific funding to community food delivery, women's shelters, and mental health services.
The entire Vancouver board is a volunteer effort, with any expenses being picked up by board members themselves.
I hugely appreciate your contributions, and hope you have a very happy holiday season knowing you've helped others do just the same.
Eli.