Community Initiatives

The Cats Community Initiatives

The Prince George Cougars organization understands the importance of community involvement. To achieve this we participate in a variety of player appearances and lend our support to community events. Our goal is to positively impact the City of Prince George and Northern BC for many years to come. The Prince George Cougars were recognized as the 2011 Corporate Citizen of the Year in the 1-49 employees catagory at the recent Chamber of Commerce Business Excellance Awards.

Through teamwork, interaction and dedication, the Cougars work to bring together a wealth of talent on and off the ice and to build a better future for our community. Below you will find a list of the initiatives we are currently involved with. We will continue to update this information as we add new programs.

Adopt-a-School - A huge thank you to our Adopt a School sponsors- IRL, Prince George Free Press, PCL and Enbridge Northern Gateway Pipelines. These sponsors make it possible for elementary school students and children in the UHNBC Paediatrics Unit to attend Cougars games with their families.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Prince George/Save On More Campaign (Dates TBD) - Individuals can donate their Save On More Points at any of the four Prince George Save On Foods. All proceeds support our local mentoring programs. Sponsored by: Save On Foods, the Prince George Cougars, 101.3 The River, 99.3 The Drive, Shaw Cable and Splash Media Group.

Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure - At the Cougars home opener on September 30, 2011, the Cougars held their Pink Power Play Game! The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation was on hand at the tailgate party and during the game fans had a chance to win a fantastic prize of flights for two people courtesy of WestJet to any WestJet destination, with proceeds going to the CBCF's CIBC Run For a Cure. CBCF CIBC Run for the Cure raised over $1700 at the game with their Pink Puck Toss.

CN Community Ticket Program - The Cougars and CN have teamed up to disperse tickets to individuals and groups in Northern BC who are making a difference in their community.

Cougars Community Corner - The Cougars offer space on their concourse throughout the season to help promote non-profit groups in the community. This provides groups with the opportunity to distribute information to Cougars fans while helping to raise agency awareness.  To book your group at a Cougars game in the 2011/2012 season, please send your request in writing to info@pgcougars.com.  Organizations supported through the Cougars Community

Organizations supported in the past include:

AiMHi, Alzheimer Society of BC, Barkerville Historic Town, BC Girl Guides- Rivers North Area, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Prince George, Canadian Blood Services, Canadian Diabetes Association, Canadian Cancer Society, Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, Canadian Kidney Foundation, Canadian Mental Health Association, Child Development Centre, Community Policing of Prince George, Crisis Centre for Northern BC, Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, Excalibur Theatre Arts Co, The Exploration Place, Fort St James National Historic Site, Heart & Stroke Foundation, Huble Homstead, Kinsmen Club of Prince George, myPG, Northern Health's Tobacco Reduction Program, Parent Support Services, Positive Living North, Prince George Minor Hockey Association, Prince George Public Library, Prince George Special Olympics, Prince George Women's Recreational Hockey League, Railway & Forestry Museum of Prince George, Operation Red Nose, SPCA, Studio 2880,Two Rivers Gallery, UNBC First Nations Centre and Volunteer PG. 

Cougars 50/50 Society - Created in 1994, this Society has reached the $1,000,000 mark in community donations.

Cougar Helena Fund - The Cougars hold regular fundraising events to help raise money for the Northern Lights Wildlife Shelter. For more infomation on the NLWS and Cougar Helena, check out http://www.pgcougars.com/page/meet-helena.

Family Day with the Cougars - A big thank you to everyone who came out for Family Day on December 28.

Fan to Fan Program - The Cougars “Fan to Fan” Program gives fans the opportunity to donate their unused tickets to non-profit groups throughout the community of Prince George. To donate your unused tickets, simply drop off your tickets to Ticketmaster, (preferably at least a day before the game) and the Cougars will disperse them to worthy groups and individuals within Prince George.

FortisBC Breakaway for Books - Cougar players visit local schools discussing the importance of making goals, working hard in school and making positive choices. Visits also include a discussion on energy conservation and challenge local students to make changes in their lives to conserve energy. If you would like to have the Cougars visit your school, contact Amy Erickson at amye@pgcougars.com.

Night of Hope Game (TBD) - Each season the Cougars host various non-profit organizations at a game to support those groups in promotion and fundraising efforts. Thank you to all the non-profit organizations that have participated:

In 2009/10, non-profit organizations who took part included: Aimhi, Alzheimers Society, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Prince George, Canadian Diabetes Association, Child Development Centre, The Exploration Place, Kinsmen Club of Prince George, Parent Support Services, Prince George Hospice Society, Prince George Special Olympics, Positive Living North, UNBC First Nations Centre and Volunteer Prince George.

Minor Sports Night (Saturday, February 25) - The Cougars select one special night each season to invite minor sports teams as their guests of honour. Team recognition, along with chances to win great prizes all while enjoying an exciting night of hockey equals a memorable time that is always tons of fun!

Pay it Forward - Patients of Dr. Dean R. Rigler Chiropractic Corp. (the Cougars Team Chiropractor), who have exhausted their income assistance medical plan coverage, may have their visit fee refunded from their account by doing volunteer services in the Prince George area and presenting the office with a written receipt, confirming three hours of community service. This community service work must be completed within thirty calendar days of the treatment date. Contact the Dr. Dean R. Rigler Chiropractic Corp. at 250-562-2225 for more information.

Pucks for Bucks - Non-profit groups and charities in Prince George have the opportunity to purchase tickets for upcoming Cougars games at $10.00 and sell them at a profit. All profits raised will go directly to the group’s fundraising initiatives.  For more information, click here.

Pucks and Paeds - The Cougars hold regular visits to The University Hospital of Northern BC Paediatrics Unit.  During these visits players have been known to do everything from reading stories to playing Xbox360^® with these special, young patients.

St. Mary’s School "Random Acts of Kindness" - Tickets are donated to students who demonstrate "random acts of kindness" at St. Mary's School.