Participating Teams at 2023 Everest Club Championships raise over $22K for youth curling

On the ice, the best club curlers in Canada showcased their skills and talent. Off the ice, they raised money for youth curling so that one day, the future of the sport can do the same.

That was the goal of the For the Love of Curling fundraising contest held at the 2023 Everest Canadian Curling Club Championships at the Assiniboine Memorial Curling Club in Winnipeg. Each year, teams participating in the event play a valuable role in creating opportunities for youth curlers across Canada while also having an opportunity to win great club and team prizes.

This year’s fundraising contest comprised an online crowdfunding contest and an in-person silent auction. The 28 teams competing at the event raised funds online in their community leading up to the 2023 Everest Club Championships, running from Nov. 19-25. Teams also donated some exceptional prizes to the silent auction. The provincial and territorial teams donated items made locally in their regions, including art, jewelry, food, clothing and more. There was also plenty of signed memorabilia from curling greats such as Jennifer Jones, Brad Gushue, Kerri Einarson and more.

The top three fundraising teams received prizes, including a cash club grant to reinvest into curling programs or initiatives at their home facilities and Visa gift cards for the players to spend. A bonus random draw prize was also awarded to one team that contributed a prize to the silent auction at the event.

Total funds raised, prize winners:

• 1^st place: $5,427 raised by British Columbia’s Team Tyler Orme, Vernon Curling Club
• 2^nd place: $3,592 raised by Saskatchewan’s Team Allison McMillan, Nutana Curling Club in Saskatoon
• 3^rd place: $3,174 raised by Manitoba’s Team Kara Balshaw, Thistle/Fort Rouge Curling Club
• Bonus draw: Quebec’s Team David Maheux, Mont-Bruno Curling Club

Cumulatively, through all fundraising contest prizes, $4,800 in cash club grants were awarded back to local curling facilities. The club grants are being used to invest in the programs and initiatives that matter most for their curling facility. It can be used for equipment, program resources, instructors or however the facility chooses.

In the end, the real winners are youth curlers. In total, $22,293.86 was raised to support youth across Canada, helping them discover the joys of curling and develop on- and off-ice skills that they can carry with them forever.

Curling Canada’s For the Love of Curling philanthropic program, introduced during the 2013-14 season to help develop and grow youth and junior curling across Canada, received donations totalling more than $620,000 last season. Programs such as The Egg Farmers Rocks & Rings presented by Curling Canada, Girls Rock and Hit Draw Tap are only made possible thanks to the generous support of Canada’s curling community.

The operation of the fundraising contest would not be possible without the support and participation of the event host committee and volunteers. All volunteers provided the curlers with a top-tier experience at the Everest Canadian Curling Club Championships and contributed to this year’s incredible success in raising funds for youth curling programs.