Empowering Kids Through Hockey: The Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation's Every Kid Deserves a Shot Initiative
The Edmonton Oilers Community Foundation (EOCF) has invested $14.1 million in its Every Kid Deserves a Shot initiative through delivery partners and hockey engagement programs. An additional $7.2 million has been committed over the next five years, totaling over $21 million by 2030. Every Kid Deserves a Shot aims to impact and inspire more than 100,000 kids by providing opportunities to participate in sports, fostering community, resilience, and belonging, and supporting kids throughout their journey from being inspired by hockey to actively playing the game.
The EOCF has already supported 65,000 kids in Oil Country through the initiative and continues to inspire more kids with the help of delivery partners like Free Play for Kids, Sport Central, KidSport, and the Hockey Alberta Foundation. This transformational investment ensures that every kid has the opportunity to reach their full potential on and off the ice, shaping brighter futures for kids and families for years to come.
Partners like Free Play for Kids, Sport Central, KidSport, and the Hockey Alberta Foundation believe in providing equal opportunities for kids to experience the transformative power of hockey. The EOCF has invested in programs that provide accessible and inclusive spaces for kids to play, belong, and grow, with additional funding committed to continue this work over the next five years.
Through partnerships with organizations like the Hockey Alberta Foundation, Sport Central, and KidSport, the EOCF is removing barriers and empowering kids to play sports. The Every Kid Deserves a Shot initiative has made it possible to distribute equipment, support registration fees, and provide access to ice hockey programs, ensuring that all kids have the chance to participate in hockey, regardless of their financial situation.
The EOCF also funds its own programs through the Every Kid Deserves a Shot initiative, including First Shift, Colby's Kids, ICE School, and Oilers Hockey School, investing $2.6 million to help thousands of kids and families in need across Oil Country. The foundation's commitment to providing opportunities, hope, and inclusion underscores the belief that every kid deserves a shot at experiencing the power of hockey.
To learn more about the Every Kid Deserves a Shot initiative and how you can get involved, visit the EOCF website.