2022 hcf assist fund donor calgary foundation

The power of an assist: Calgary Foundation

Driven by the grassroots legacy left by its namesake, the Daryl K. Seaman Canadian Hockey Fund is proud to support the Hockey Canada Foundation Assist Fund

Katie Brickman
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January 31, 2022
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Daryl K. (Doc) Seaman lived and breathed hockey and wanted to help young Canadians continue to access and enjoy the game he loved.

“Doc was a friend of mine and I worked with him for many years. When Doc passed away [in 2009], he was very generous with his legacy,” says Don Thurston, chair of the Daryl K. Seaman Canadian Hockey Fund at the Calgary Foundation.

Seaman was an original owner of the Calgary Flames and was instrumental in bringing the National Hockey League team to Alberta in 1980. He continued to share his passion of sport with amateur athletes, and hockey players in particular.

He gifted more than $100 million to the Calgary Foundation, which was established in the mid-1950s by a group of community-minded citizens to meet the variety of social, cultural, educational, health, environmental and community needs in Calgary and the surrounding area.

Seaman also isolated a $10 million fund with the Calgary Foundation – the Doc Seaman Amateur Sports Grants – that specifically goes towards supporting amateur sporting activities across Canada, with an inclination to hockey.

“Sporting activities are a catalyst for friendship, skills training and learning about others,” says Thurston. “Sports are a good way to help youth and disadvantaged people. That was important to Doc.”

Earlier this year, Thurston and the Daryl K. Seaman Canadian Hockey Fund at the Calgary Foundation were proud to commit a $75,000 grant to the Hockey Canada Foundation Assist Fund.

The Assist Fund helps remove barriers to playing hockey for young Canadians by providing registration fee support to those families who have been challenged financially by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It was a perfect match,” says Thurston. “It is for youth and goes towards those families who wouldn’t otherwise be able to play hockey because of fees. We know Hockey Canada well and knew that Doc was a big supporter.”

The Seaman Grants support all aspects of amateur hockey across Canada; initiatives that encourage young people to learn about, enjoy and play amateur sports of all kinds, increase equal access and promote participation in community-based amateur sports.

“It clearly was the right fit for us to support the Assist Fund. It was a perfect value match,” says Thurston. “The fact that it was hockey was great, but it also benefits everyone across Canada, and it helps so many that need support. It helps youth in the game, learn new skills, how to play, how to get along with others and have fun with their friends.”

The Calgary Foundation facilitates a collaborative approach to philanthropy by making connections between donors and community organizations. Last year, it granted $66.9 million to 1,105 charitable organizations.

The Seaman Amateur Sports Grants have awarded around up to $500,000 every year for the past 10 years across Canada. It is the lone community grant at the Calgary Foundation that supports various sporting programs from Prince Edward Island to Yukon.

“It is a grassroots fund that helps youth in sports and those who are disadvantaged – financially, culturally or physically – we want to support those initiatives through the Doc Seaman grant,” says Thurston.

The Assist Fund received unanimous support by the committee at the Calgary Foundation, knowing how much the sport meant to Seaman.

“The Assist Fund fits exactly what we want to support – youth in grassroots sporting activities,” says Thurston. “It means everything to be a part of this. It matches all our value components. Hockey is a vital part of our country and Doc knew that. It means a lot and I am delighted we are a part of the Assist Fund.”

To donate to the Hockey Canada Foundation Assist Fund, CLICK HERE.

For more information:

Esther Madziya
Manager, Communications
Hockey Canada

(403) 284-6484 

[email protected] 

Spencer Sharkey
Manager, Communications
Hockey Canada

(403) 777-4567

[email protected]

Jeremy Knight
Manager, Corporate Communications
Hockey Canada

(647) 251-9738

[email protected]

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