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Gretzky coming to Keyano for Huskies Fundraiser
by Curtis J. Phillips, Fort McMurray CONNECT
02/01/2012 - Guess who’s coming to dinner?
Wayne Gretzky.
Yes. You read it right.
The greatest hockey player of all time, is coming to Fort McMurray May 11, for Keyano College’s inaugural One on One Banquet, which will be an annual fundraising event in support of the Huskies Athletic Endowment and Keyano Huskies programs.
Presented by Quality Group of Companies, the hot-stove discusssion format event, limited to 550 tickets, was the brainchild of Gretzky memorabilia collector Shawn Chaulk.
“(The idea) started off with the Gretzky dinner in September (23, 2011),” said the long-time resident, in regards to the Kinsmen Club of Edmonton’s inaugural fundraiser entitled The Legends Experience, which featured Gretzky.
It was there that Chaulk, recognized for having the world’s largest collection of Gretzky memorabilia, displayed some of his favourite Gretzky items, including the jersey Gretzky wore when he scored his 500th goal.
During a private autograph signing session with Gretzky that weekend, Chaulk had a conversation with the hockey legend in regards to life in Fort McMurray.
“Wayne started asking questions about Fort McMurray and he knew a lot about Fort McMurray,” recalls Chaulk, who has met Gretzky countless times. “Then I started thinking, ‘If Edmonton can do something like this…there is no reason in the world why we could not support such an event.’”
Chaulk quickly sent out some e-mails and telephone calls to friends and local businesses saying, “I have an idea and do you think it would work?”
The response was overwhelming. “It was the typical Fort McMurray response. ‘When and how can I help?’ along with, ‘Just as long as (proceeds) go to a good cause.’”
Individuals associated with Keyano College, like Keyano College Foundation board of directors chair Dale H. Unruh and Sport & Wellness Director Wade Kolmel, were the main shakers and responders.
Also it doesn’t hurt that Chaulk was Athlete of the Year for the Huskies back in the 1980s when he participated in badminton, bowling and racquetball. Unruh, too, has a close contact with Gretzky.
Another association Gretzky had to Fort McMurray was with his annual Wayne Gretzky Fantasy Camp where participants spent $9,999 to skate with the Great One with proceeds going to charity.
“Since I first went down to the camp several years ago, we now have up to six to 12 people of the 60 attending coming from Fort McMurray,” said Chaulk of the . “At the end of camp there is even a Fort McMurray award. So Wayne and his people realize what we have done to assist with his foundation and this (One on One with Wayne Gretzky) is a kind of payback to come up to Fort McMurray.”
When Gretzky is in Fort McMurray the One on One event will be “like a hot stove environment where people in attendance will be able to ask a question from the audience of Wayne. With this format it is just not a guy getting up and speaking but creating an environment where the audience can be in tuned with the presenter.”
There will also be a four-course meal.
Chaulk, chair of the One on One, said that this portion of the event has been allocated for “75 minutes” and that due to the amount of anticipated people to attend, there will also be no general autograph or photo session with Gretzky as that “would take hours and hours to do.”
Instead there will be a silent and live auction plus one lucky person at each of the tables will receive a Gretzky autographed item.
Gretzky will be joined by MC Kelly Chase and other special celebrity quests of NHL notoriety including Paul Coffey, Marty McSorely and Dave Semenko.
“The One on One effort to support the Endowment Scholarship Fund will impact the students that represent the Huskies, not only in those that will suit up next season, but others that will pick Keyano College well into the future,” Kolmel said of the upcoming event.
“A college with a strong scholarship program, such as ours, needs these committee efforts to ensure the sustainability of our program. I am always proud to call Fort McMurray my home, and it is events such as this One on One, that really draw attention to what can be accomplished by bringing together initiative, ideas, and willingness to give back to your community.”
“Our mandate is not to top what we will do but this instead will be a statement that we will be putting on a high-profile event for future One on Ones,” was Chaulk’s response when asked how organizers could possibly top the inaugural event.
“Yes, Gretzky is by far the highest name from the world oh hockey but there are other professional athletes from other sports so it does not have to be a hockey guest always.”
Sponsorship opportunities, ranging from $7,500 to $25,000, will provide requisite benefits including additional access to The Great One and additional tables will be sold for $5,000, each with sitting for 10.
Syncrude Sport & Wellness Centre’s Shell Field will feature Chaulk’s incredible Gretzky collection while the Alberta Building Trades Field will be the location for the One on One Banquet and speaking presentation.
“We are excited,” said Chaulk. “I already have five friends from other parts of Canada who will be flying in for the event.”
For more information go online at www.keyano.ca/oneonone or contact Melane.leblanc@keyano.ca or 780-791-8995.
