The Saskatchewan Junior Hockey League (SJHL) announced today they are finding trusted organizations to assist in setting up the structure for the SJHL Assistance Program. Announced last week, the program aims to provide well-administered support to players, families and billets in overcoming the trauma from the Humboldt Broncos鈥� accident.
Today, the law firm Burnet, Duckworth & Palmer (BD &P), as well as leading accounting and consulting firm MNP, agreed to provide initial guidance on setting up the program. The assistance program has already received early funding support from Co-op, with 78 retail co-operatives and Federated Co-operatives Limited together donating more than $525,000. Other organizations and individuals have contributed $765,000 through SJHL.ca.
鈥淚n honour of those lost, and their families, we want to ensure that this program is created and structured so that players and their families get access to the support they need in a timely and responsible way,鈥澨齭aid听SJHL President Bill Chow. 鈥淵ou need respected partners to make that happen. With MNP鈥檚听and BD&P's听guidance on setting up the program鈥檚 structure and administration, I know it will be able to help meet both immediate and long-term needs.鈥�
鈥淏urnet Duckwork & Palmer is grateful to be involved in helping establish the SJHL Assistance Program鈥� said John Brussa Chairman of BD&P. 鈥淭his program will be an important resource for those individuals and families affected by the Humboldt Broncos tragedy.鈥�
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Near-term, the SJHL is focusing the program so that support reaches all SJHL players, families and billets who are working through the trauma caused by the Humboldt Broncos鈥� accident. Because of the outpouring of generosity, there may be opportunities to extend the program鈥檚 reach in the long-term.
鈥淗ockey is family鈥攑layers, coaches, families, billets and communities are all connected. That鈥檚 why the SJHL Assistance Program is for all players, families and billets across the SJHL,鈥� said Chow. 鈥淟ooking forward, we want to use this program as a platform to support players, possibly even beyond this league, so they can be healthy, resilient and make a meaningful difference in their communities.鈥�
The SJHL has also announced a joint effort with its official clothing supplier 22 Fresh to begin selling #HumboldtStrong t-shirts at Co-ops (and online through 22 Fresh), with proceeds going to the SJHL Assistance Program. More details on when the t-shirts will be available in stores will be provided soon. Updates on this initiative will be shared through SJHL.ca and @CoopCRS.
Individuals and organizations looking to donate to the SJHL Assistance Program can visit听www.sjhl.ca/sjhlassistanceprogram.
