Roughriders focus on giving back through “Pass It On”

“We couldn’t do this program without this partnership period, end of story. We need the Cancer Agency on board, we need the Riders on board and we need Rider Nation on board because they are the ones who play a big role in buying the pink merchandise and helping fund some of these dreams,” Huntington commented.

Huntington said the Cameco Touchdown for Dreams program is truly about providing a few moments of happiness for women in a really difficult battle.

Mike Thomas is the director of football operations for Football Saskatchewan and he also spoke about the special connection to the Roughriders with initiatives like the Centennial Legacy Fund.

“That allows communities, football teams, organizations to access funds to be able to get things that are needed for their programs to either increase the number of players participating, increase player safety or opportunities just granted in general,” Thomas said.

He pointed out a big recent success was to establish 10 amateur football teams in northern Saskatchewan thanks in part to community outreach programs through the Roughriders.

Cindy Fuchs is the provincial director of the Saskatchewan Red Cross and she says the Imagine No Bullying tour with Roughrider players is one example of the success of community outreach. So far this year Scott McHenry, Dan Clark and Neal Hughes have done anti-bullying presentations reaching more than 20,000 students in communities across the province.

“When Riders speak, kids listen. They see their heroes up on the stage providing important messages and they actually are paying attention,” she explained. “During their presentations the players relate their own personal experiences with bullying and you can see how some students are stunned that a Roughrider has gone through the same experiences that they are right now.”

These are just a few examples on the list of many other charities and not-for-profit groups supported by the Roughriders through donations and guest appearances.

panews@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @princealbertnow

by Adriana Christianson

Roughriders focus on giving back through “Pass It On”

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