They shot, and they scored $23,000.
The tallies are in from the Collingwood Blues’ 2025 Hockey Battles Cancer event held on Feb. 21 at the Eddie Bush Memorial Arena, with the online auction running throughout February. As of now, event chair Kathy Jeffery said the event has brought in $23,000 and counting, which exceeded her expectations.
“Given the challenges, we’re over the moon,” said Jeffery in an interview. “The team worked hard. I’m thrilled with the result for the team, and for the cancer patients.”
Funds were raised through the Kinsmen Club of Collingwood’s chuck-a-puck event, the Optimist Club’s 50/50 draw, corporate sponsorships, tote sponsorships and personal donations. A silent auction and online auction ran throughout February, and included such items as Boots and Hearts passes, Hockey Hall of Fame passes and autographed sports memorabilia.
The third annual event raised funds to purchase 40 chemotherapy care gift totes for distribution to local patients battling cancer. The totes come packed with comfort items like a blanket, warm socks, an eye mask and a neck pillow, with some entertainment items like a colouring book and markers, hygiene items like a toothbrush, toothpaste, Kleenex, eye care and hand sanitizer, and also some other useful things like device chargers, skin care items, ginger chews and earbuds.
Jeffery said there will be a little less than $10,000 remaining this year, which will be evenly distributed between the Collingwood General & Marine Hospital for diagnostic imaging equipment and Hospice Georgian Triangle for respite care.
Overall, Jeffery wanted to express gratitude from the entire Hockey Battles Cancer committee to corporate sponsors, businesses that donated auction items and Blues fans who participated this year.