Through the various fundraisers that we have sponsored, including the AAA U 15 Baseball tournament, the AA U13 Hockey Tournament and the ET Hockey day held each April, we have raised some money that is used to ensure the Scholarships that exist in Evan’s name live in perpetuity. In addition to the scholarships, So far and since inception we have raised over $70,000 which has gone to many worthy causes in Evan’s name, including:
- Christina Haugen (Coach, Darcy Haugen’s family)
- Saskatchewan Brain Injury Association
- Baseball Saskatoon – in 2023 the Directors of the Trust approved a gift to Baseball Saskatoon to purchase an electronic scoreboard for Nutana Ball Diamonds
- Saskatoon Minor Hockey Association – through our annual donation to SMHA, we sponsor 2 bursaries that are awarded to (one Female and one Male) hockey player in the SMHA system who needs financial support to cover the costs of registration – an annual award of $500.00 EACH is provided to selected children- for privacy reasons we cannot publish winners, as we do with our Scholarships, but we are proud to contribute to this worthy cause and permit children the chance to play who might otherwise miss this experience and opportunity!
- Saskatoon City Hospital Foundation.
- STARS Air Ambulance
- Royal University Hospital
- Gasper Family Trust
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- Kinsmen Inner City Hockey
2023 Kinsmen Inner City hockey team all wearing ET Memorial Jerseys!
- Scott making another donation to STARS Air Ambulance – over the years we have given $10,000.00 to Stars to recognize their help in saving some of Evan’s friends after the accident
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We also purchased a Batting Turtle, in conjunction with the Kinsmen Club of Saskatoon for The Kiwanis Baseball Park.
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IN 2018 some very compassionate people in Brandon joined together to create an honorary area at the main entrance to the Keystone Centre in Brandon – the caption on the bench reads :
EVAN THOMAS – September 6, 1999 to April 6, 2018–And Humboldt Broncos Memorial 2018
We remember and honor the Humboldt Broncos with a bench; The Tree honors Evan Thomas, grandson of Brandonites, Betty and Frank Thomas, The 15 globe cedars honor the other 15 who perished in the crash of April 6 , 2018; The 13 flowering plants honor those 13 who survived but continue to struggle in some way–BLESS THEM ALL – WE WILL NEVER FORGET !
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The genuine caring and generosity of ownership and management of the Holiday Inn Express and Suites (Saskatoon East- University)and Staybridge Suites (Saskatoon, University) was displayed in the creation of the Evan Thomas Meeting Room, appropriately located on the 9th Floor of the hotel. The room is identified as Evan’s Room and contains memorabilia of Evan’s hockey and scholastic achievements – we encourage you to visit the hotel and check out the room for yourself. here’s a link to their website :
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The EVAN THOMAS MEMORIAL TRUST FUND AND WINKLER MINOR HOCKEY are, jointly, pleased to announce the creation of an Endowment Fund within the Winkler Community Foundation. The intent of this Fund will be to create an annual payout sufficient to cover hockey registration fees for one male and one female athlete annually, in perpetuity.
In 2022 the Winkler Flyers Alumni were celebrating the 25th anniversary of their MJHL championship. Through the generosity of that alumni group, the proceeds of the 50-50 draw were donated to the Evan Thomas Memorial Trust Fund. The directors of the Evan Thomas Memorial Trust Fund wanted to somehow return that donation to the community of Winkler and help children, specifically, who might be facing tough economic times get to participate in hockey. Thus, the seed money for this Endowment Fund was created.
By using the investment expertise of the Winkler Community Foundation and their charitable status, we can ensure a maximum return and provide tax receipts for donations made.
Some local businesspeople have already made commitments to donate to the fund, and we would welcome others who might be interested in ensuring children who might not be able to afford the costs of minor hockey registration can by-pass this hinderance to enjoying a game that we love so much. If you might be interested in joining our group or if you simply want to ask any questions about the fund or our intentions—– please contact Frank Thomas at 204-724-5749 or email at frankt@wcgwave.ca
Alternatively, donations can be made directly to the Winkler Community Foundation –Donations can be made online at www.winklercommunityfoundation.com or by mail to 2-880L 15th Street Winkler, MB R6W 0H5– any donations over $20.00 will receive a tax receipt. Simply indicate on your donation that you want to donate specifically to the Evan Thomas Memorial Trust Designated Fund.
