On Saturday February 11 several members of BIC Canada’s Green Team came to Grandravine for the formal cheque presentation. Some were seeing for the first time how the money they raised was being spent. They were very impressed with the dedication of the coaches in the skills group. Then they watched a game between teams three and four and were further amazed at the level of hockey being played. In 2011 this group of employees along with BIC Canada raised $3000 for Grandravine Special Program. They should all be proud of the part that they played in making this program possible.

The bus will leave from the parking lot at the corner of Keele and Wilson at 5:00 pm sharp. Please be on the bus by 4:45. 

Remember to bring your player cards and I.D.

If you wish to join in the fun, please sign up at the desk in the arena on Saturday. We need 55 people in order to fill a bus. If we cannot fill the bus we will have to cancel. The deadline for signing up is March 10.

Please support our fund-raising activities, have some fun, win some money and get to know new people!!

Top row - Michael Salfi, Steve Singh, Ken O’Brien, Charlene St. John, Carmen Hamilton, Pady Boodhoo, Pasqua Chimienti, Kevin Murphy. Bottom row – Joe Rizzuto, Mark Liotta, Mark Rizzuto

We use them everyday. Pens. More to the point – BIC pens. Not to mention shavers and lighters. But like so many other products we rarely have the opportunity to meet the people behind these products. I had that opportunity this past year and I can tell you that they are some of the friendliest, warm-hearted and generous people you can imagine. Every year the staff of BIC Canada on Oakdale Road in Toronto select a charity and then spend the rest of the year raising money for it through various events with help and support of BIC Canada. The Green Team is a fun-loving group of fundraisers at BIC Canada that, through events such as BBQs and Hockey Day, managed to raise almost three thousand dollars for Grandravine Special Program. They are part of the company’s worldwide initiative, BIC Citizens in Action.When you walk into Company Vice-President Kevin Murphy’s office you know right away that hockey is part of the fabric here. The walls are filled with hockey memorabilia from his own hockey days to BIC Canada’s support of Junior Hockey. This enthusiasm for our national pastime is also reflected in the entire staff, including the many new immigrants to our country. Steve Singh will tell you that the only hockey stick he had ever seen before arriving here was a field hockey stick, but he is now as big a Leaf fan as anyone. That enthusiasm is also reflected in their desire to help others. That is why in 2011 they decided to combine both passions to help raise money for our hockey program.

Bic Canada Vice-President Kevin Murphy presents a cheque to Grandravine President Joe Rizzuto

Kevin is the first to tell you how very proud he is of his entire staff. We at Grandravine Special Program are also proud of this wonderful group, not only for the generosity that they have shown us this past year, but also for their ongoing efforts in support of so many other groups in our community.

Voting Process

1. The Team Up Foundation Fund is now open to public voting. Go to www.mlseteamupfoundation.org/giving/Team-UP-Foundation-Fund and click on “VIEW THE CANDIDATES”. Find Grandravine Special Program and click on “click for more…”. There you will see a page with a description of our campaign called “Access for All”. On the right hand side is a button labeled “VOTE FOR THIS CHARITY”. Click on this button. You will be asked to login to vote or if you haven’t done so already to register. Once you have done either one, your vote will be counted.
2. Voters will be permitted to submit one vote per day, so please take a minute each day to vote for this very special project. You must allow at least 24 hours between each vote.
3. First round of voting will close on February 20, 2012.
4. The Top 20 project proposals (based on votes received) will be selected for review by the Grant Committee.
5. Between February 20, 2012 and March 2, 2012, The Grant Committee will select the Top 10 projects for the next phase of public voting.
6. The final round of voting will open on March 7, 2012.
7. The final round of voting will close on March 16, 2012. The top four (4) charitable organizations who have received the most votes will each receive $50,000 for their project proposal.
8. The final four (4) will be announced on March 20, 2012.

Everyone was in the party mood.

Our friends from Orangeville came for their scheduled game and a few decided to join us for the bowling as well. It was the biggest turnout yet for this event. It seems the coaching continues off the ice too.

There were lots of pots for the Pot Luck dinner and no one went home hungry.

Special thanks to Mary Parisien and Joe Rizzuto  for putting this together, and to all the volunteers who made the day so special.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

If you know of anyone, a company, or an organization that may or would like to donate and contribute to our raffle and door prizes please see Lisa Rizzuto or contact her at 416-831-9119 or by email at lisa.rizzuto@hotmail.com.  A donation letter is available upon request.  All contributions would be appreciated before February 11, 2012.

Ticket prices are as follows: (Includes a sit down dinner and FULL DELUXE OPEN BAR)

Children 5yrs of age and under $25.00

Players and guests 6yrs of age to 10yrs of age $50.00

All other guests $75.00

Ask your friends, family, neighbours, and co-workers…hope to see you there!

Lisa Rizzuto

Information is as follows: 

Toronto Marlies vs. Lake Erie – Monday, February 20, 2012 (Family Day)

$15.00 per person which includes game at 1pm and an hour skate after the game from 4pm to 5pm for athelets, and their family.

The athlete’s only will be given a tour of the Toronto Marlies change room at 12:15pm sharp and will be accompanied by Grandravine volunteers.

I am also looking for volunteers to help run a 50/50 draw before and during the game. Please advise me if you would like to volunteer for this. 

I will begin sign up and I will also be collecting payment on Saturday, December 10, 2011 through Saturday, February 4, 2012.  Spots will fill quickly.

Hope to see you all there. 

Lisa Rizzuto

The bus will leave from the parking lot at the corner of Keele and Wilson at 5:00 pm sharp. Please be on the bus by 4:45. 

Remember to bring your player cards and I.D.

If you wish to join in the fun, please sign up at the desk in the arena on Saturday. We need 55 people in order to fill a bus. If we cannot fill the bus we will have to cancel. The deadline for signing up is March 10.

Please support our fund-raising activities, have some fun, win some money and get to know new people!!

Registration Dates:  Saturday, September 24, 2011 and Saturday, October 1, 2011

Location:  Grandravine Arena Meeting Room 106

Time:  11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Player Registration Fee:  $150.00 

Download Registration Form complete and bring to Registration.  

Last day of Registration:  Saturday, October 29, 2011

    Jacket Sizing will take place during registration

For further information on program or volunteering, contact

Joe Rizzuto at (416) 245-7601 or by email at jsrizzuto@rogers.com