Winterland Invitational raises over $130,000 for the Ronald McDonald House

The Winterland Invitational raised the most money in the charity hockey tournament’s brief history and surpassed their fundraising goal.

The Ronald McDonald House Charities received $138,000 in the Winterland’s third year as 36 teams atom and peewee teams came to Bonnyville, Elk Point and Glendon on Family Day weekend.

Oreen Skiba had hoped they’d be able to raise $130,000 and was happy to see it surpassed.

“The third annual RMHC Alberta Winterland Invitational was a huge success and we could not have done it without the business community rising up to sponsor, the volunteers donating their time and talent and the teams that participated,” said Oreen Skiba, stakeholder relations manager for the Ronald McDonald House, Lakeland region.

“Thank you for helping to raise $138,000.”

Last year, the tournament raised over $125,000.

Five hundred and fifty male and female hockey players from as far away as Fort McMurray, Sherwood Park and Battle River participated in the weekend with potentially more spots next year.

Teams donated their registration fees for the tournament to the RMHC while added features like goal sponsors for every goal scored, added other elements to the fundraising.

A silent auction, 50-50, and raffle was also a big part.

Skiba said the plan is to expand the tournament to the Cold Lake Energy Centre to host as many as 24 more teams on Family Day in 2021.

The tournament was presented by McDonald’s James Richer Enterprises Ltd.