The Gord Bamford Foundation is pleased to announce that $464,755 was raised during the Canadian country singer’s 12th Annual Charity Golf Classic, contributing to the foundation surpassing a fundraising milestone of over $4 million raised to date for children’s charities across Canada.
Held in central Alberta on August 7 and 8, and presented by JEDCO Energy Services Corp., the event also saw its first ever live pledge drive that raised $76,000 for featured charity The Central Alberta Child Advocacy Centre (CACAC).
“This event all started as a dream back in 2008, to support local charities and children in central Alberta,” explained Gord Bamford. “Now over time we’ve seen the impact these monies can have to support groups such as the CACAC, Make-A-Wish Foundation, MusiCounts and countless other organizations so they can fulfill their dreams. I am so proud of support we’ve received from donors, businesses and friends and to keep hosting this event in my home province.”
The two-day star-studded event in Red Deer, AB included a sold-out evening hosted by Paul McGuire (ET Canada) at the Cambridge Hotel Resort & Conference Centre. Over 750 attendees were entertained with performances by Canadian country music stars Gord Bamford, Dallas Smith, Aaron Pritchett, Jess Moskaluke, and Jojo Mason. Buddy Owens and Galen Griffin also took the stage to perform a Merle Haggard tribute piece, alongside Gord Bamford.
Bamford was also honoured at the event by Jeff McWhinney, Keeper of the Grey Cup. Both the singer, and Make-A-Wish recipient Abby, whom Gord had presented a $10,000 donation to earlier in the evening, received white gloves to officially receive the historic trophy. McWhinney also placed his father Glenn’s Grey Cup ring, won in 1954 as an Edmonton Eskimo, on Abby’s finger.
The Gord Gathers, Gord Gives themed event also featured a live auction, where guests could bid for the chance for hockey icons Glenn Anderson, Rob Brown, Theo Fleury, Olympic curlers Brad Gushue, Kevin Koe, Geoff Walker, professional bull rider Scott Schiffner, or one of the country music stars to join them on the golf course the following day.
Additonal auction items included a Pittsburgh Penguins hockey experience for four with Gord Bamford and assistant coach Mark Recchi, one week at a spectacular beachfront luxury condo in Puerto Vallarta, an Edmonton Oilers “Skate With The Stars” package and two unique Lewis Lavoie paintings which were completed live during the course of the evening.
Other beneficiaries from the monies raised this year include Big Brothers Big Sisters Lacombe & District, Blackfalds Wranglers, Canadian Children’s Hospital Foundation, Hockey Alberta Foundation - Every Kid Every Community, Make-A-Wish Foundation, MusiCounts, The Central Alberta Buccaneers, Central Alberta U16AA Ringette, Robbie Dean Family Counselling Centre, Gary W. Harris Canada Games Centre and Sutter Fund.
-Submitted by the Gord Bamford Foundation