The Hamilton Tiger-Cats 50/50 draw at the 108th Grey Cup raised a grand total of $200,000 with proceeds benefiting three local causes including Bernie Custis Secondary School, the Hamilton Bulldogs’ Foundation and local area minor football associations.
“The 108th Grey Cup was a tremendous success largely because the engagement of Ticats and CFL fans from coast-to-coast who came to Hamilton and supported all facets of the event, including the remarkable 50/50 result,” president Matt Afinec said.
“These funds represent a great legacy for the 2021 Grey Cup as they will make a real difference in our community and specifically in supporting youth across the city including in our home neighbourhood that surrounds Tim Hortons Field.”
Bernie Custis Secondary School will receive over $65,000 to help fund the school’s sports programs and help offset the considerable costs associated with them. BCSS is the only Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board secondary school in Hamilton’s inner-city and the funding will help ensure students have safe and up-to-date equipment, access to playing surfaces and transportation to and from practices.
The Bulldogs’ Foundation will receive over $65,000 to help further their mandate to enrich the lives of youth in the greater Hamilton community. For more than a decade, the charitable arm of the local OHL team has delivered a nutrition program in 21 high needs schools ensuring that kids start their day with a healthy breakfast.
“We are proud to be alongside both of these deserving initiatives,” executive director of the Hamilton Bulldogs Foundation, Peggy Chapman said.
“This will help us continue to deliver nutritious breakfasts to local area schools through our Nutrition Program while also being able to give Bernie Custis Secondary’s sports programs a boost, all of which furthers our efforts to enhance the lives of youth in Hamilton. This is a great example of how our community benefits from our partnership with the Tiger-Cats.”
Hamilton area minor football associations, including Hamilton Football Association, Burlington Minor Football Association, Niagara Spears football Club, Guelph Minor Football Club, The Brant and District Football Club and Hamilton Hurricanes Football Club, will receive over $65,000. The funding will go to providing players with safe-to-use helmets, new shoulder pads and other necessary equipment, which has been greatly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic limiting these associations’ ability to fundraise.
