
While the outgoing Vancouver Mayor and council have failed miserably in their well-meaning, but misguided attempts of tackling our homeless crises, we can now look with some measure of optimism that our newly elected mayor and his slate of ABC elected officials endeavor to take us in a new direction that will make a sustainable improvement in what is clearly the worst blight on our fair city. More importantly, you can help our new leaders by providing direct financial assistance to those less fortunate who live on the streets of Vancouver and provide a leg up, no matter how small, at working to find a way back into productive society. For the past seven years, I have participated in the Hockey Helps the Homeless (HHTH) Vancouver Tournament to raise much-needed funds for this worthy cause. Despite our substantial financial contribution, the situation has deteriorated under the guidance of our previous leaders, and we need to give ABC the support it needs to right this lilting ship. In Vancouver, it is estimated that on any given night, some 3,600 men, women and children are homeless. It only takes a short walk from our downtown core, where many of us work, to get a first-hand view of the magnitude of those in need in our community.
For those who supported my efforts in supporting this cause in the past, both HHTH and those to whom we were able to provide assistance as a result of your generosity all thank you profusely! To date, HHTH has raised over $3,200,000 through its Vancouver chapter. While the misguided polices under our previous leadership and the ravages of the pandemic have significantly added to the needs and numbers of those living on the street, we are determined to go farther this year to help support our new leaders with a more sustainable vision to improve the plight of those less fortunate in our city and making our city safer and more livable. In this vein, I vow once again to match the first ten thousand dollars ($10,000) in donations in an effort to help this ever-growing marginalized group of Vancouverites.
If you are receiving this note for the first or seventh time, I confirm again I am seeking your support for this very worthy cause for two reasons. First, there are many that need our help, and you are compassionate; and second, you likely earn your living in real estate or a related field and are acutely aware of our growing homeless problem and know that every effort, no matter how small, that helps alleviate the needs of this growing segment of our population is a crucial step towards improving our city for all. Your donation will help change lives for the better, make your streets safer, and your businesses more valuable. A true win/win for everyone which has been a fundamental driving force behind the efforts I have put forth throughout my entire 40+ year career!
The proceeds from this tournament go directly to local based partnership agencies here in Vancouver that support a variety of programs and services for homeless and at-risk men, women and youth, including employment and training, rides for job interviews, health services, and transitional housing. The 2021 Vancouver tournament disbursed numerous local outreach programs, such as the Salvation Army ($50K), First United Church ($50K), Last Door ($75K), Covenant House ($50K), Zero Ceiling ($20.5K), Lookout Housing & Health Society ($53.75K), Bloom Group ($74.75K), Urban Native Youth Association ($65.5K), Rain City Housing ($50K), and Westminster House ($55K).
The tournament receives excellent support from local Vancouver Canucks Alumni and a host of Vancouver businesses and Vancouver area men and women’s recreational hockey leagues. It is truly an honor to participate alongside retired professional players, including Jyrki Lumme, Dave Babych, Brendan Morrison, Cliff Ronning and Kirk McLean. In previous years I have had the privilege of skating alongside Daniel Sedin, Geoff Courtnall, Garth Butcher and Scott Walker. If these great ambassadors of our city and our national sport can give so generously, surely we can all get behind them and pitch in. I am keen to participate, but cannot do it without your help.
I'm asking you to join me in making a difference.
Link below to my page to make online donation: http://tournament.hhth.com/goto/tonyquattrin2022