Champions start small

2008 Sandra Schmirler Golf Classic

The Sandra Schmirler Golf Classic is hosted by Mike Harris and George Cooke of The Dominion of Canada and was held Monday, July 28th at the Thornhill Golf & Country Club.

The curling community came together to celebrate the legacy of Sandra Schmirler and raised a record breaking $50,000 for the Sandra Schmirler Foundation, to fund neonatal projects.

Many of Canada's elite curlers were in attendance; including the 2008 Women's World Champions Jennifer Jones and Cathy Overton-Clapham, and the 2008 Men's World Champions, Ben Herbert and Mark Kennedy. Also in attendance were the 2007 World Champions Glenn Howard, Richard Hart and Brent Laing along with Olympic Medalists Mike Harris and Joan McCusker, teammate of Sandra Schmirler.

The Sandra Schmirler Foundation would like to thank Bob Wands of The Taylor Group, George Cooke of The Dominion and Ian Cunningham of Capital One for their support of the event and of the Sandra Schmirler Foundation.

A special salute goes to Jennifer Rochefort of The Dominion for her tireless efforts in organizing a wonderful day for the 144 golfers who attended.

For more photos from the event, visit the 2008 Sandra Schmirler Golf Classic photo gallery.

Canadian Direct Insurance to sponsor BC Men’s Curling Championship

When the province’s top curling teams play in Penticton next February for the right to go to the Brier, they’ll be playing in the “Canadian Direct Insurance BC Men’s Curling Championship.”

As the event’s title sponsor for the next three years, CDI will become familiar to BC curling fans with its logo on the ice, walls, competitors’ jackets, awards and promotional materials.

With the final televised live on Shaw Cable, those images will reach thousands of curling fans - a highly desirable demographic. CDI, a subsidiary of Canadian Western Bank, will also have commercial spots on both the men’s and women’s BC finals.

The CDI logo will be featured prominently on the Curl BC website for the next three years, with a link to its own site.

The new sponsorship agreement provides annual financial support to the championship event and ongoing support to the Sandra Schmirler Foundation as well as potential savings to curling club members across the province.

CDI will donate one percent of all insurance premiums it receives from Curl BC members to the Schmirler foundation, which supports neo-natal care. CDI will kick-start that effort with a $5,000 pre-payment this season.

Curl BC members will also receive a 10-percent discount on home insurance purchased through CDI, said Nigel Easton, vice president of Curl BC and manager of the Langley Curling Club where the seeds were planted for the new title sponsorship.

The Langley club had approached CDI’s parent company, Canadian Western Bank, to support the men’s provincials held there last year, and put on several events for the sponsors, who happened to include the head of marketing for CDI.

“We put on a novice ’spiel for the sponsors, and they got hooked on the game. That’s where it all started,” Easton said. “They really thought it would be a good mix - and it IS a good mix.”

New Champion in TCA Energizer Mixed Bonspiel, a fundraiser for the Sandra Schmirler Foundation

For immediate Release

PRESS RELEASE

February 20, 2007

An 8-ender lead to a curling title for Jeff Richard and his team from the East York Curling Club

Toronto, ON: Similar to a hole in one, an 8-ender is a rare occurrence in curling. “We were getting smoked in our first game”, said Richard “then we got the 8-ender in the 4th end and never lost a game after that”. Richard and his team of Kelly MacIntosh, Cameron White and Laura White won the TCA Energizer Mixed Bonspiel at Scarboro Golf & Country Club on February 18th. They had a fairly easy win over Len McNicol and his team from Chinguacousy Curling Club. Dave Thomas and his team of Pat Reid, Bernie Snodofsky and Mary Phoenix won the Seniors title. Thomas curls out of the Leaside Curling Club.

Another important part of the event was the fundraising for the Sandra Schmirler Foundation. Over $2300 was raised for the charity. The Sandra Schmirler Foundation is a non-profit organization that collects donations and then funds projects at neonatal facilities across Canada. It is a legacy to the three-time world curling champion and Olympic gold medalist, Sandra Schmirler who passed away after a short battle with cancer in 2000. “Supporting this charity is a tradition at this bonspiel.” Said Bonspiel Chair - Joanne Stewart, “We are lucky enough to have such great sponsors and super participants in this bonspiel - everyone is happy to contribute to this worthy cause.”

With a prize table worth over $10,000, 63 teams participated in this years event in both the Open and Senior events. Sponsored by Johnson Controls, the TCA Energizer Mixed Bonspiel combines excellent competition with lots of fun and socializing. Teams consisted of two men and two women. The format is a three game knockout and teams had the opportunity to win one of four events.

Contact: Beth Woolnough, Toronto Curling Association
Phone 905-839-1151 x6762 (daytime) | 416 744 9561 (evenings/weekends)
e-mail: ewoolnough@vpop.ca

New President Appointed at the Sandra Schmirler Foundation

For immediate Release

PRESS RELEASE

February 19, 2007
FOR YOUR INFORMATION

Lethbridge, Alberta - Linda Moore, President of the Sandra Schmirler Foundation is retiring effective with the commencement of the Scotties Tournament of Hearts. Linda had made her intentions to retire known in September and the Board has been working towards a transition since that time.

“Linda gave us one year and in that time contributed immensely to our organization”, said Jim Harper, Chair of the Foundation Board. “In spite of her busy schedule as TSN commentator, Linda established a solid administrative structure that will allow us to continue to grow and reach out to the curling community”. Moore has been instrumental in promoting the annual Sandra Schmirler telethon which is underway today. Working with her team at TSN, the telethon has become a major fund-raiser for the Foundation.

Replacing Linda as President is Francine Poisson. Francine comes to the Sandra Schmirler Foundation with a solid curling background - both as a builder and curler. She has served on various Canadian Curling Association committees and curling club Boards. Francine has an impressive history as a competitor, as well. She has represented Quebec at three Scott Tournament of Hearts - 1988, 1990, 1991 - and the 1984 Canadian Mixed Championship. Poisson also has a notable business background. She worked with CANCURL who developed “Lite Rocks” from 1993 until it was sold in 2003. She is also owner of EdRec Citrus which raises over one million dollars each year for schools in Quebec.

“I’m thrilled to take on this new challenge”, said Poisson. “Working with the Board, Linda has set the stage for us to expand our community outreach and build even great public awareness for the Sandra Schmirler Foundation”.

The Sandra Schmirler Foundation funds projects at neonatal facilities across Canada. It is a legacy to the three-time world curling champion and Olympic gold medalist, Sandra Schmirler. It’s mandate is to help babies grow and reach their full potential in life because “Champions Start Small”.

For more information contact:
Francine Poisson
1-514-233-0377

CTV Sandra Schmirler Charity Golf Classic

The 7th annual CTV Sandra Schmirler Charity Golf Classic was held on August 17, 2006 at Wascana Country Club in Regina. The event was a success and raised a record $33,000. The proceeds will be split between the Sandra Schmirler Foundation and the Dr. Sandra Schmirler Scholarship at the University of Regina. (The Scholarship is awarded to an outstanding student enrolled in the Bachelor of Physical Activity Studies program with a specialization in Recreation and Sport Administration every year. Since 2002, a total of 5 scholarships have been awarded). The Sandra Schmirler Foundation will use its proceeds of $16,500 for future neonatal grants.

Olympic Celebrities Mark Nichols, Mike Adam, Shannon Kleibrink and Amy Nixon were in attendance and did a wonderful job at the Golf Classic.

Curl BC names Sandra Schmirler Foundation as “Charity of Choice”

Curl BC, the organization responsible for the delivery of all curling programs and services in the province, has announced it will support the Foundation bearing the name of one of Canada’s most beloved curlers.

Read the press release

Kurl for Kids Supports the Sandra Schmirler Foundation

Kurl for Kids, the world's largest celebrity bonspiel, announces that proceeds from future events will go to the Sandra Schmirler Foundation.

“Kurl for Kids is the largest curling event in which top curlers from around the world gather to raise funds for charity. We are pleased to throw our support behind the Sandra Schmirler Foundation.” David Wylie, Chair, Kurl for Kids.

“Funds that are raised through this event, and a variety of other Sandra Schmirler Foundation projects planned throughout the year, directly support neonatal facilities across Canada... We thank the many volunteers and curlers involved with the Kurl for Kids event for their support.” Jim Harper, Chair, Sandra Schmirler Foundation.

The 2007 bonspiel will be held April 5 to 7 at the Tam Heather Tennis and Curling Club in Toronto, ON.

Read the press release

Cheque presented to the Greater Victoria Hospitals Foundation

Don Lane & Allan Gilchrist of the Sandra Schmirler Foundation presented a cheque for $24,000 to Rob Cooke of the Greater Victoria Hospitals Foundation on January 24th, 2006. The proceeds were used to purchase fetal heart monitors.

L-R: Don Lane, Rob Cooke & Al Gilchrist holding up the cheque that was presented to the Greater Victoria Hospitals Foundation.

Canadian Curling Trials Cheque Presentation

From left to right: Mathew Harris, President, Sandra Schmirler Golf Classic East Society; Rod McCulloch, President, Nova Scotian Crystal; Al Gilchrist, Director, Sandra Schmirler Foundation; Muriel Fage, Director, Sandra Schmirler Foundation; Linda Moore, Executive Director, Sandra Schmirler Foundation; Jocelyn Vine, Vice President, Women‘s & Newborn Health, I.W.K. Health Centre; Elizabeth Smith, Development Officer, I.W.K. Health Centre Foundation.