The following letter from Stampeders president/COO Lyle Bauer on behalf of the Calgary Herald’s Christmas Fund appeared in the newspaper’s Nov. 22 editions.
I’m fortunate that in my role with the Calgary Stampeders Football Club, I get to see the impact of community involvement on a day-to-day basis.
The Stampeders are an important part of this city and we take that role seriously. Our owners, players, coaches and administrative staff put in countless hours to help the less-fortunate in our community.
It starts with the Stampeders’ ownership group and the importance our owners place on community involvement. John Forzani, Doug Mitchell, Bob Viccars and our other owners are well-known community leaders when it comes to giving back, and that value is passed down the line.
Each year our players contribute their time to the eight charities that we have chosen to be involved with – Alberta Children’s Hospital, Canadian Cancer Society, Salvation Army, Calgary Inter-Faith Food Bank, Calgary Urban Project Society, KidSport, Make-A-Wish Foundation and United Way.
When I was asked to write an article on the spirit of giving, I thought of an event prior to the season that speaks to the importance of helping out. One of the events I’m most proud of is the CUPS/Calgary Stampeders Kickoff Breakfast, which this year was held in late May, just before the start of our team’s training camp.
The event brings together the Stampeders and leaders of Calgary’s corporate community in an effort to raise money and awareness for CUPS Health and Education Centres. This year, Carlene Donnelly, executive director of CUPS, shared an important message with those in attendance.
“There isn’t a big difference between me and many of the people who walk through our doors, or many of you in our community. At some time, everyone needs help. For many, they turn to their family and friends and loved ones. If you didn’t have those people there, you would turn to organizations like us for our services,” Donnelly said.
And that is the point. We all need to support one another. That is the mark of a strong community.
I’m pleased that our players take time out of their busy schedules to help support events such as the CUPS/Stampeders breakfast. And there are countless others.
Quarterback Drew Tate is our team representative with the Salvation Army. Each year, Drew and his teammates help support a cause that affects many Calgarians. Our players help collect hundreds of coats each fall to ensure as many Calgarians stay warm during the winter months.
Since 2001, the Salvation Army Coat Drive has seen Stamps fans donate more than 9,000 coats and more than $22,000 to the cause. This is a tremendous example of our club and fans working together for the betterment of Calgary.
We also take pride in our work with the Alberta Children’s Hospital. Defensive lineman Justin Phillips is our rep with ACH and, the day before every home game, he and several other players pay a visit to some young patients at the hospital. I have seen first-hand the impact these visits have on the children, along with their parents. It’s tremendous.
I moved to Calgary from Winnipeg in 2009 and have been impressed with this city since I arrived. The spirit of giving is alive and well in Calgary and I’m amazed at the number of people who want to help those who need it.
As Carlene put it so well at our CUPS/Stampeders breakfast: At some point, everyone needs help.
Please give what you can to help support the Calgary Herald Christmas Fund. Make a donation, help spread the word of this great cause and let’s all do our parts.
On behalf of the Calgary Stampeders, I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year,
Lyle Bauer
Stampeders President/COO