The 20th annual Kinsmen Celebrity Sports Banquet presented by K+S Potash Canada was a huge success on Saturday evening. Over 450 supporters packed the Heritage Inn to see CTV/TSN broadcaster Rod Black, World Series manager Cito Gaston and Stanley Cup winner Ray Bourque speak and raise money for local Kinsmen charities.
“It went tremendous,” said Kelvin Bradford, chairperson for the event.
Bradford wasn’t sure how much money was officially raised from the effect, as the final tallies were still being calculated on Monday afternoon.
“We do feel like it was a record year,” he said. “Which is a benefit to the community of Moose Jaw.”
All the money raised through donations, live auction and silent auction will be disbursed throughout the local community and Kinsmen organizations.
“We have a lot of commitments already and so we will continue with those commitments,” Bradford stated. “One of the biggest commitments are playgrounds, the minor sports, including the football program, the Flying Fins, and the lacrosse team we want to keep coming with.”
The feedback Bradford received from the trio of guests was great and all had a good time at the event.
“My understanding is that Rod has done this a lot and thought this was one of the better shows that he’s ever seen,” he said. They really did enjoy coming here and the feedback from the people is that they feel it was the three best people we’ve ever had.”
The biggest selling ticket at the event was the trip to Boston in April to see a Bruins game, a Celtics basketball game and a Red Sox baseball game.
“I think that was a big hype,” said Bradford.
Dylan Barker was presented with the Kinsmen Sports Achievement Award by the Kinsmen Club of Moose Jaw, Vanier Collegiate football team won the Sports Team Award and the Moose Jaw Times-Herald honoured Charlie Meacher with the Sports Builder Award for his countless volunteer work with minor baseball in the city.
“It was a great support of the community,” said Bradford. “The sponsors and K+S presenting it has made it very successful and the city of Moose Jaw is definitely a winner off this event and what is going back into the community.”
Some parts of the committee are already planning for next’s years event and speaking with some agents and trying to get some plans ready.
“We just want to continually build and make it better for the community,” said Bradford.
