The Sudbury Wolves and United Way Sudbury and Nipissing Districts are betting the odds will be better than 50/50 their new initiative will succeed in helping children with mental health issues in the city.
The two organizations announced Monday the implementation of a modern 50/50 draw program during home games at Sudbury Arena.
Wolves fans can purchase their 50/50 tickets as usual, and win half of the pot for the night. But now, the other half of the pot will go towards the Wolves United partnership, launched in January to support local youth development and youth mental health services. Earlier this year, United Way decided it will only consider funding new programs that support youth or youth mental health. This partnership advances that focus, said Michael Cullen, executive director, United Way.
“It's a beautiful partnership that gives us a fresh brand and a fresh identity,” said Cullen, following the launch of the 50/50 initiative. “Wolves United will stretch even further the grant pool United Way draws from to fund 50-plus services in the city and across Northern Ontario.”
United Way is just about ready to start handing out the money they've been collecting as part of the Wolves United initiative, Cullen said. The plan is to make announcements regularly on which organizations receive funding.
“It's really important to show the people who support this fund that's it's working,” Cullen said.
For his part, Wolves owner Dario Zulich said he looks forward to seeing how the fans of the Sudbury Wolves can put money back into the community and help support mental health services.
“It all started over coffee between me and Micheal,” Zulich said. “It's funny how a small idea can turn into something real, and it's going to manifest into something that can really help our community.
“It's going to be win-win. The Wolves win by being able to give back, but the people who require mental health services are the ones who will really win.”
United Way volunteers will be running the 50/50 draw every home game. They will eventually be utilizing point-of-sales technology what will allow fans to purchase tickets with debit and credit cards, making the entire draw more accessible to everyone in attendance.
In the future, the 50/50 draw initiative could also extend to other events held by SW Sports and Entertainment, such as basketball games and football games, Zulich said.
