It’s this time of year that the Kipling-Windthorst Oil Kings usually hold their annual Sportsman Dinner and Auction and Awards Night. Sure it’s a fundraiser, but it’s also a night out and a time for visiting friends, and people are missing out on some of that community spirit lately.
For the second year in a row, the Oil Kings had to cancel this event due to COVID-19 restrictions.
In place of the Sportsman’s Dinner this year, fundraising for the club came in the form of an online auction which was organized by Oil Kings president Geoff Hewson and Makyla Stender.
The auction ran from Friday to Monday, giving bidders enough time and many chances at all items up for bid.
“The auction went really well,” commented Hewson. “We are very happy with how it went.”
Most of the auction items that were donated went for their full value or close to it, raising more than $10,000.
“We would like to thank the many companies who donated 24 items in total to our online auction,” comments Hewson.
“It’s great to see the community support this event as well as they did!” comments Hewson.
This is always one of the major fundraisers for the year, besides the Oil Kings ‘Wheelbarrow of Christmas Cheer’ leading up to Christmas.
Plans for the money that was raised is going towards a number of things.
“First off is to put some towards league fees and assorted team expenses to help us get through this year where we went without any real revenue,” explains Hewson.
The Big Six Hockey League lost a major sponsor this year which upped the league fees quite a bit, and some of the money will go towards insurance, equipment and things of that nature.
“We don’t want our players to spend a whole lot of money to play senior hockey,” says Hewson. “It’s already a time commitment and a bit of a physical risk every time they step on the ice.”
Hockey fans and players alike are looking forward to the opportunity to resume play this upcoming season.
