Red Coats tourney helps local schools

Times Reporter

 

Over 200 RCMP members laced up their hockey skates Jan. 25 to 27 to participate in the Red Coats for Kids charity hockey tournament. Though Strathmore didn’t have enough players to fill it’s own team, members did play on the Calgary and area team to show their support.

“The organizing committee gets to choose the charity, so this year we choose the schools in. (In) years past it has been Victim Services, or Boys and Girls Clubs stuff like that,” said Vince Olson, with the Strathmore RCMP. 

“It’s Red Coats for Kids and what better place to give money to the kids than schools, that was our thoughts anyway.”

Over $15,000 was raised for Strathmore schools, which will be disbursed between them to be used in athletic departments. Members came from all over Alberta to play in the tournament.

“It’s good for the community in terms of fundraising, you just kind of say yes we could put it on, and they say yes you can have it. No bid or anything like that, it’s just a matter of requesting the opportunity to host it,” said Olson. 

It may be a number of years before Strathmore sees the tournament return. Olson said the committee for the Alberta Tournament tries to spread it out so that every community may get a chance to host it if they choose to do so. Next year Whitecourt, Alberta will be hosting the annual tournament.