Vancouver, BC – Canucks for Kids Fund President Paolo Aquilini is pleased to announce that $3.36 million has been raised and granted to children and families in BC thanks largely to the generous support of Canucks fans across the province throughout the 2013.14 season. The announcement was made during the Canucks for Kids Fund (CFKF) Tea reception hosted at Rogers Arena where Canucks President of Hockey Operations Trevor Linden officially welcomed and congratulated the grant recipients.

“We are so grateful for the support of our fans, partners, players and their families and the employees at Canucks Sports & Entertainment, who donate their time and funds to help improve the lives of children in BC,” said CFKF President Paolo Aquilini. These funds would not be possible without everyone’s ongoing commitment to touch lives in a way that makes a lasting difference. Thank you for helping us help.”

This year’s grant recipients include core beneficiaries, the Canucks Autism Network, Canuck Place Children’s Hospice and BC Children’s Hospital. Additional grant recipients include the Canucks Family Education Centre (CFEC), Fin’s Friends Character Education Program, Canucks Centre for BC Hockey, Canucks Power Play program, Westcoast Boys Club Network, Boys & Girls Club of South Coast BC, Britannia Hockey Academy, Canadian National Institute for the Blind, Family Services of Greater Vancouver, Hannah’s Heroes Foundation, KidSafe Project, Mindcheck.ca, PALS Autism Society, Rare Disease Foundation, Take a Hike Youth at Risk Foundation, Sarah McLachlan’s School of Music, Arts Umbrella and YWCA Crabtree Corner.

Now in its 29th year of giving, the CFKF has granted more than $46.8 million to children’s charities across BC. The CFKF fundraises annually through several successful events including the CFKF Telethon, CFKF Dice & Ice, CFKF SuperSkills, Sports Celebrities Festival, CFKF 50:50 and the CFKF Jake Milford Canucks Charity Invitational.

2013.14 Fundraising Highlights:

Canucks for Kids Fund 50:50

With the generosity of our loyal fans and dedicated team of staff and volunteers, the Canucks for Kids Fund 50:50 program is one of the most successful in the NHL. This year the Canucks for Kids Fund 50:50 program raised more than $780,000 net. During the Heritage Classic game hosted at BC Place, more than $206,000 in tickets were sold.

Canucks for Kids Fund Telethon

This season’s Telethon, hosted by Trevor Linden, Craig MacEwen and Suneil Samra, was a great success, raising more than $389,000. Canucks wives, significant others, sponsor partners, Canucks for Kids Fund Directors and volunteers took donations by phone on the celebrity panel on March 19th. Donations were also accepted at the game by volunteers who collected contributions in the bowl and fans were invited to visit Canucks.com to donate online.

2013.14 Highlights from CFKF Grant recipients:

Balancing Our Minds

In partnership with BC Mental Health & Substance Use Services, the Canucks hosted the inaugural Balancing Our Minds: Tools for Youth Wellness (BOM). The free event, hosted at Rogers Arena, brought 1,500 youth, teachers and parents from across the province to participate in workshops over the course of the day. Wes Rypien, brother of the late Rick Rypien, joined with a group of speakers who led dialogue in subjects such as mental health, aboriginal youth and mental health, substance abuse and body image.

CFEC Early Childhood Education Assistant Certificate Program

This year, CFEC introduced its ECE Assistant Certificate pilot program. In its inaugural year, 30 participants, who would not otherwise have access to this type of program, enrolled and completed the program. The skills and training taught are transferable to the workplace as well as at home. Positive parenting skills and knowledge gained have significantly impacted the participants’ approach to their own parenting.