99, Samsung, Best Buy Make Powerplay for Minor Hockey
Donation To Wayne Gretzky Foundation Helps Support 99 Minor Hockey Associations
The Great One is helping 99 minor hockey clubs across the country kick-off a great hockey season. Through a team effort with Samsung Electronics Canada and Best Buy Canada, the Wayne Gretzky Foundation is presenting 99 minor league associations with a $1,000 bursary to help them cover expenses related running their 2008-2009 minor hockey programs.
Earlier this year, the companies launched the 99 Reasons campaign to help raise funds for the Foundation. During the campaign period, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of all Samsung TVs at Best Buy locations was donated to the Wayne Gretzky Foundation. Best Buy stores also sold exclusive Wayne Gretzky commemorative stickers for $0.99, with all proceeds of the sale going directly to the Foundation. The total donation, $99,000, represented a combination of funds raised through the retail promotion and monies previously committed from Samsung and Best Buy.
“Minor hockey clubs across the country often struggle with covering the costs associated with running their programs,” said Gretzky. “Thanks to Samsung and Best Buy, my Foundation can now help 99 of minor hockey associations. I truly appreciate their generous support and hope that it will help more youngsters have the opportunity to get involved in the game.”
Gretzky unveiled the 99 Reasons campaign at an event in Vancouver earlier this year where he met with an atom hockey team from St. Albert, Alberta, who won a contest related to the 99 Reasons promotion. The squad from the Edmonton suburb received an all-expense-paid trip to Vancouver and a once-in-a-lifetime chance where they met their hockey hero.
“Hockey is part of the fabric of Canada and Samsung is a major supporter of the game,” said Benjamin Lee, President of Samsung Electronics Canada. “We are thrilled to have completed this successful campaign with Best Buy and that the Wayne Gretzky Foundation can now use these funds to support these Canadian minor hockey associations.”
Created in 2002, the Wayne Gretzky Foundation is dedicated to helping disadvantaged youngsters throughout North America participate in the sport of hockey. As a major supporter of hockey in Canada, the Foundation was a natural fit for Samsung’s Four Seasons of Hope program. As a major national retailer and an active member of the communities in which it does business, Best Buy was a natural draft choice for this team.
“Soon after launching the 99 Reasons campaign in our stores, it was obvious that Wayne Gretzky continues to be a great inspiration,” said Martin Vander Velden, VP of Merchandising, Best Buy Canada. “Our team members across the country threw their support behind the Gretzky Foundation and have contributed towards our Best Buy for Kids program goal to empower youth by helping them excel in school, engage in their communities, and develop life and leadership skills. We also had a tremendous response from our customers who truly made this campaign a winner.”
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Tags: benjamin lee, best buy canada, samsung, samsung electronics canada, samsung's four seasons of hope, wayne gretzky, wayne gretzky foundation