A two-day fundraiser in support of Sylvan Lake resident Michael Arthur, who’s currently battling leukemia, proved a major success, raising over $40,000.
During the event, Novice, Atom and Peewee division hockey players played three-on-three hockey and wore jerseys all bearing the number six on the back and a Fight Like Mike ribbon on the front.
Silent and live auctions and a musical performance by West of the Fifth provided fundraising and entertainment on Saturday. Atom AA Lakers hockey coach Travis Brigley said the music, auctions and games for kids attracted about two hundred people. He said the live auction raised about $27,000.
“Everything ran very well and everything was smooth,” he said. “It was lots of fun and the kids had a blast. It's amazing what this community can do in such a short period of time, and all the help and volunteers — it’s cool to see people come together.”
He added people came from both Sylvan Lake and out of town to support the event.
“It helped out a great family,” Brigley said. “It was a great time.”
Brigley said he’s heard how much fun people had and received a lot of positive feedback following the event. Volunteers were thanked for making it happen.
Seeing hockey players having a good time while wearing Arthur’s number was a particular highlight, he said.
“Watching those kids get those jerseys and understanding what they are playing for and why they are doing it was probably the coolest part for me,” Brigley said. “Seeing the kids smiling and playing and having fun — that's the part that I liked. That's why you do it.”