Here is what a few of the associations that we work with have to say about Community Engage.  As an association, you can decide whether the program is to be used for fundraising at the association level or team level. 

“What I really like about this program is parents can participate, simply by purchasing items they would be getting anyway,” says Craig Shouldice, District Chair for Nepean Minor Hockey. “Instead of sending players and volunteers out into the community they can do all their own in-house fundraising or a good portion of it just by buying what they would need for hockey
anyway.”

 ”Community Engage is a great program, they were easy to work with and very friendly.  We are looking
forward to working with them again this year to raise money for our association.”
Mandy Dowd – Fundraising Coordinator Renfrew Minor Hockey

“Community Engage is a great compliment to the traditional sponsorship/fundraising that most minor hockey associations use.  The fundraising position is normally a difficult one to have a volunteer commit to, so any sponsorship program that is easy to implement and doesn’t require any administration or ‘selling’ skills is ideal.  We look forward to using it for a second year”
Jason Graham, President, Ottawa Valley Silver Seven

“Compared to other sources, this one is very simple to utilize – there are no commitments or administration time required.  The program was well received by our parents as it allowed them to save money and support KMHA at the same time.  In only a couple months we were able to generate funding that will be used for new jerseys, etc and the potential is much greater in its second year!”
Kelli Burke, District 11 Chair and Past-President of Kanata Minor Hockey Association

The above graphic (a survey of hockey parents conducted by RBC and printed in the Dec 6, 2011 Globe & Mail) really says it all!!!

As a hockey community you are faced with the ever increasing costs to run your minor hockey programs.  That is the reality, yet it is having a very negative impact on the greatest sport in Canada.  The #1 reason cited by parents that did not enroll their child in minor hockey = COST IS TOO HIGH.  Enrollment for boys playing minor hockey is DOWN across the country, luckily girls hockey enrollment is going up, which reduces the overall drop.   When parents are asked what is the greatest challenge facing your local hockey community, the #1 reason = LACK OF PROPER FINANCIAL SUPPORT FROM BUSINESSES. 

Community Engage and our Minor Hockey Deals program addresses the 2 biggest obstacles facing minor hockey today. 

We have created the most innovative savings and fundraising program introduced over the last 30 years.  Our program taps into the group buying power of all parents within your Association.  Our program offers the parent’s discounts on the products they need to purchase throughout the season (which decreases their child’s sport costs) plus a portion of every purchase goes directly back to the association or team as fundraising.

We have relationships with the Vendors that are eager to add new customers to their business and they are willing to offer an unbelievable deal to attract your parents.  There are literally hundreds of local businesses that like the demographic of families with kids in minor sports and our program brings everyone together.  In addition, the business offering the deal gains a positive impression by being a great corporate citizen.

Yes it is a cliche, but our program is a win-win-win for minor hockey associations, parents and the businesses.

First and foremost, our program is easy to implement – 10 minutes per week only.  This is a must.  Any new program that you get behind must be extremely easy to implement.  We understand you don’t have the time or resources to do what is currently ‘on the table’, much less, introduce new initiatives.

We make it a no-brainer for you to get behind this program that will;

1.  Save your parents 50% on goods and services that they need to buy throughout the hockey season.
2. Generate significant fundraising dollars.  We give 12.5% from every purchase back to the association or team for anyone that buys - obviously parents, but also friends, family, work colleagues, neighbours, etc.  To learn more about the fundraising component from the Team perspective click here for more info.  We encourage you to direct your teams there as well.

Our objective is simple – MAKE MINOR HOCKEY MORE AFFORDABLE FOR ALL!!

We regularly update our site with the latest Savings and Fundraising totals.  In Ottawa alone, after only 6 weeks we saved minor hockey parents and supporters over $45,000 and directed $5,625 back in fundraising.

If you have any questions, please contact us at your earliest convenience.  We need to get you on board as soon as possible so your parents can reap the maximum savings AND fundraising amounts!

Here is a link to see current deals that will be offered to the parents within your association.  We can also give you a list of past businesses that have been on our site – major sports retailers, major sport entertainment organizations, leading restaurants, hockey services such as equipment washes, off ice training facilities, innovative training tools and more.