ALS FUND-RAISER: Brandon Curlers Contribute, Strachan Wins Adding Up

(Link here to the original thecurler.com story which explains the background of the ALS Fundraiser)   Four wins already at the Strathcona Senior Men's championship by defending champion Brent Strachan mean the team's ALS Research Fund-raising effort has already pushed past the $4,000 mark. Coming into the championship, the team had accumulated pledges totalling just over $500 per win plus miscellaneous cash contributions of about $2,000 (numerous donations have been made which are not included in the lists below).

And the fund continues to grow. An email this morning from Darryl Andrews bumps the fund by $20 per Strachan win and a Don & Betty Sumner $50 cheque is a nice addition to the cash side. From personal experience, I have always known my friends at the Brandon Curling Club will be there when it is important.

** Carberry Curling Club Contributes: The Carberry Curling Club, on the eve of their annual spring bonspiel, has added their support to the Team Strachan effort to raise funds for ALS research. Moved by the memory of Neil Andrews at the time of his untimely passing, Carberry added a charitable component to their annual bonspiel. At the time, it was a tribute to a curler and friend recognizing years of support for the Carberry club and bonspiel.

This year the charitable effort will continue at the Carberry ‘spiel with the funds raised going to the Team Strachan ALS fund. In an email yesterday, Rob Van Kommer put it very simply – “Many of us from Carberry have had great times thru the years with the Strachans on and off the ice and our club just wanted to do something in their honour”.  A great thought from a group of the greatest people in our sport.

For the record, the amount of the contribution can only be estimated until after the bonspiel but in the past it has amounted to about $500, , so we'll add that estimate to the tally for now. That's brings the cash contributions to an estimated $500.

$500 in cash contributions
$500 - Carberry Curling Club (estimated)
$100 - Heather Andrews
$135 - Team Westcott
$ 50 - Rae Kujanpaa
10 Swiss Francs - Lorne Hamblin (estimated value $15 CDN. Yeah I know that's high)
$800 - TOTAL

**
Walz team and an Old Team-mate Add to the Fund: Former Manitoba Senior Men's Champion Lionel Walz and his team have added their support to the Brent Strachan team's efforts to raise funds for ALS Research. Walz sent an email today adding $20 per Team Strachan win to the fund. And I had an email last week from an old work colleague and team-mate, Keith Kyle. A good curler who went to the 1987 Brier at third for Brian Fowler, Keith's email added another $20 bump to the per Strachan win fund.  So that makes thecurler.com's part of the per win effort a total of $345.

$345.00 per win for the Strachan team
$20 - Team Walz
$20 - Keith Kyle
$50 - Vanguard Credit Union
$10 - Ralph Lee
$20 - Team Laval
$20 - Team Renwick
$20 - Team Fowler
$25 - Fowler Hyundai
$20 - Team Collyer
$10 - Mickey Steen
$20 - Team Sigurdson
$20 - Team DeBlonde
$20 - McPhail Travel
$20 - thecurler.com
$50 - Team Strachan
$345 - TOTAL/Strachan win

**
Brandon's Heather Andrews, whose husband Neil curled with Ron Westcott in winning an Manitoba Senior title before he lost a battle with another nasty disease, has weighed in with a contribution on the Brennt Strachan Team ALS fund-raiser. Heather says in her email "No offence to either the Strachan or Westcott teams in their curling ability but I’m playing it safe with a general donation of $100.00 to help the cause. Anything we can do to help in finding a cure for these neurological diseases, count me in. Good luck to all the curlers and I look forward to seeing lots of “old” familiar faces at BCC." ........We look forward to seeing you there too, Heather.

I had a brief chat today with Ron Westcott at the Safeway Championship. He says he is considering an offer of a contribution for every unsolicited piece of advice his team gives him during the Senior championship. His problem is the risk it would bankrupt him.

And an update from Brent Strachan. Between the pledges listed below and the pledges which have come direct to his team members - the tally is now up to $430 per Strachan team win - $30 per Strachan team loss - $10 per Westcott team win - and about $800 cash donations.

To update the tally on pledges made to thecurler.com:

$300 in cash contributions
$100 - Heather Andrews
$135 - Team Westcott
$ 50 - Rae Kujanpaa
10 Swiss Francs - Lorne Hamblin (estimated value $15 CDN. Yeah I know that's high)
$300 - TOTAL

AND $305.00 per win for the Strachan team
$50 - Vanguard Credit Union
$10 - Ralph Lee
$20 - Team Laval
$20 - Team Renwick
$20 - Team Fowler
$25 - Fowler Hyundai
$20 - Team Collyer
$10 - Mickey Steen
$20 - Team Sigurdson
$20 - Team DeBlonde
$20 - McPhail Travel
$20 - thecurler.com
$50 - Team Strachan
$305 - TOTAL/Strachan win

AND $30.00 per win for the teams who are playing the defending champion Senior men's team at this years provincials.
$10 - Shane Ray
$10 - John & Heather Helston
$10 - Reid & Linda Lumbard
$30 - TOTAL/Opponent win


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Team Westcott (in its Various Forms) and A Rorketon Supporter Chip In: One of the most famous teams at the Fort Rouge Curling Club is the group of 17 (well, no one knows for sure how many) curlers, former, curlers, sometime curlers, and coaches headed by Ron Westcott. The group can take many faces - for example the Ron Toews team in the recent MCA spiel which made a serious run at a main event trophy OR the Ron Westcott team set to play in the Strathcona Senior Men's OR any number of combinations of bodies who show up for club games. They have made three contributions to the Team Strachan ALS Research Fund-Rasier effort.

Ron Toews sent along an email with the first two bumps to the fund. He says "Team Westcott (and the balance of our Fort Rouge squad) will donate $135.00 to Brent's fund." Then he adds " Additional monies will be based on Team Westcott's win performance at the provincials. We will add an additional $10 per win for every "W" Team Westcott gets. Hope this helps the cause."  You bet it does Ron!!

Dan Hildebrand, in the true spirit of this great group of Fort Rouge guys, chimed in with a contribution. "Based on Westy's performances of late you should be worried. Just to make certain there is at least some money in the pool, I'll give $10 for every game the real "W" team (Wiles) wins while the secondary "W" team is away at the provincials. (Your writer knew that the book-keeping on this deal was going to get complex - but I suspect this one will be a pretty minimal contribution. I've seen them play without Westcott).

As I sat on the media bench at Steinbach this morning, Rae Kujanpaa dropped by the say hello. ALS has affected their family, too. He wrote a $50 cheque to add to the kitty. Thanks, Rae!

So the total is still $305.00 per win for the defending champion Senior Men's team wins at this years provincials (with additions as noted below).
$50 - Vanguard Credit Union
$10 - Ralph Lee
$20 - Team Laval
$20 - Team Renwick
$20 - Team Fowler
$25 - Fowler Hyundai
$20 - Team Collyer
$10 - Mickey Steen
$20 - Team Sigurdson
$20 - Team DeBlonde
$20 - McPhail Travel
$20 - thecurler.com
$50 - Team Strachan
$305 - TOTAL/Strachan win

AND $30.00 per win for the teams who are playing the defending champion Senior men's team at this years provincials.
$10 - Shane Ray
$10 - John & Heather Helston
$10 - Reid & Linda Lumbard
$30 - TOTAL/Opponent win

AND $10.00 per win for Team Westcott wins
$10 - Team Westcott
$10 - TOTAL/Westcott win

AND $200 in cash contributions.
$135 - Team Westcott
$ 50 - Rae Kujanpaa
10 Swiss Francs - Lorne Hamblin (estimated value $15 CDN. Yeah I know that's high)
$200 - TOTAL

**
ALS FUND-RAISER: A Credit Union, an old Banker Friend, and a Swiss Coach Add Their Contribution: I had an email this week from Ralph Lee. I met Ralph when he moved to Morris to the Royal Bank some years back. His email came from Texas - so I assume he may have retired and is not spending his winter in the curling rink. In any case, he follows Manitoba curling on thecurler.com and sent his best wishes to the Strachan team on their fund-raising initiative for ALS Reasearch and Awareness. He also sent his commitment to add $10 per win to the kitty.

And the Vanguard Credit Union in the Hmiota area has given the  cause the boost needed to put it over the $300 per win level which was a threshold I was thinking about when we started this. Not to suggest it is time to quit - in fact I suggest it is just a real good start.

Lorne Hamblin was at Steinbach today with his Swiss Olympic Curling team. He, too, had read about the fundraising effort. My guess is Lorne figures he could compete again in Manitoba Seniors and doesn't want to upset the equilibrium by betting either for or against the Strachan team. So he made his donation a straight cash deal with an angle to encourage some international participation in the cause. I now have in my possession a 10 Swiss francs bill. If anyone would like to buy it so I can simplify the paperwork - send me an email.

So now the total is $305.00 per win for the defending champion Senior Men's team wins at this years provincials.
$50 - Vanguard Credit Union
$10 - Ralph Lee
$20 - Team Laval
$20 - Team Renwick
$20 - Team Fowler
$25 - Fowler Hyundai
$20 - Team Collyer
$10 - Mickey Steen
$20 - Team Sigurdson
$20 - Team DeBlonde
$20 - McPhail Travel
$20 - thecurler.com
$50 - Team Strachan
$305 - TOTAL

AND $30.00 per win for the teams who are playing the defending champion Senior men's team at this years provincials.
$10 - Shane Ray
$10 - John & Heather Helston
$10 - Reid & Linda Lumbard
$30 - TOTAL

AND cash contributions.
10 Swiss Francs - Lorne Hamblin
10 Swiss Francs - TOTAL

**
Jim Renwick and his Brandon team, the home-team in the Strathcona Senior Men`s championship in Brandon later this month, is the latest team to join in the support for defending champion Team Strachan`s effort to raise money for ALS Research. Jim`s email this afternoon says simply -  "You can put Team Renwick down for $20.00 per win also".  

Dean Laval and his Deloraine team are in as well. Dsean says  "I think this is a great idea for ALS Research because it has affected my family also - my grandfather died from ALS. We`ll add $20 to the total also. " That brings the tally up to $245 per Team Strachan win plus $30 for every win scored by their opponent. 
*** 
So now the total is $245.00 per win for the defending champion Senior Men's team wins at this years provincials.
$20 - Team Laval
$20 - Team Renwick
$20 - Team Fowler
$25 - Fowler Hyundai
$20 - Team Collyer
$10 - Mickey Steen
$20 - Team Sigurdson
$20 - Team DeBlonde
$20 - McPhail Travel
$20 - thecurler.com
$50 - Team Strachan
$245 - TOTAL

AND $30.00 per win for the teams who are playing the defending champion Senior men's team at this years provincials.
$10 - Shane Ray
$10 - John & Heather Helston
$10 - Reid & Linda Lumbard
$30 - TOTAL
**
ALS FUND-RAISER: Team Fowler, Ray & Fowler Hyundai Add to the Effort: CurlManitoba Executive Director Shane Ray, Fowler Hyundai-Brandon and Senior Women's Team Fowler are the latest to join Brent Strachan and his team's effort to raise funds for ALS Research and Awareness.  Team Strachan says they will contribute $50 for each game they win at this year's provincials in Brandon as they attemnpt to defend their provincial title. Every Strachan win is now worth over $200 thanks to the most recent contributions. Brian Fowler's email noted that they have appreciated the opportunity to do business wit the Strachan family and the now-Fowler Hyundai wanted to add $25.00 per win to the kitty. Lois Fowler's email noted the defending Senior Women's team enjoyed attending last year's Canadian Seniors with the Strachan foursome and they'll add $20.00 per Strachan win.

Shane Ray, on the other hand, went the other direction. With a smile, Ray said it was a good chance to put a little pressure on the boss (Strachan lead Jim Strath is the CurlManitoba President). Ray's cheque will grow by $10.00 for each  opposition victory over the defending champions.

So now the total is $205.00 per win for the defending champion Senior Men's team wins at this years provincials.
$20 - Team Fowler
$25 - Fowler Hyundai
$20 - Team Collyer
$10 - Mickey Steen
$20 - Team Sigurdson
$20 - Team DeBlonde
$20 - McPhail Travel
$20 - thecurler.com
$50 - Team Strachan
$205 - TOTAL

AND $30.00 per win for the teams who are playing the defending champion Senior men's team at this years provincials.
$10 - Shane Ray
$10 - John & Heather Helston
$10 - Reid & Linda Lumbard
$30 - TOTAL
**
ALS FUND-RAISER: Helstons, Lumbards and Team Collyer Assist the Cause: I visited with John and Heather Helston and Reid  & Linda Lumbard at the WInnipeg Airport this morning. They all off to warmer climes but took a moment to make their contribution to the Team Strachan ALS Research Funding Challenge. They were worried about the other side of the equation. What about the, admittedly unlikely, chance that the defending champs don't win. The pay per win formula isn't going to rais emuch money for the cause. So 'mark us down for $10 per win for the other guys in their games with Team Strachan' both the Lumbards and Helstons said.  Trust me when I tell you that I'll get a donation out of both of them, however, if the Strachan four goes undefeated.

And Val Strath sent along an email offering $20 per Strachan win from the Deb Collyer Senior Women's team - and challeneged the other Senior Women's teams in the event to join the effort.

So now the total is $160.00 per win for the defending champion Senior men's team wins at this years provincials.
$20 - Team Collyer
$10 - Mickey Steen
$20 - Team Sigurdson
$20 - Team DeBlonde
$20 - McPhail Travel
$20 - thecurler.com
$50 - Team Strachan
$160 - TOTAL

AND $20.00 per win for the teams who are playing the defending champion Senior men's team at this years provincials.
$10 - John & Heather Helston
$10 - Reid & Linda Lumbard
$20 - TOTAL

**
ALS FUND-RAISER: Team Sigurdson Adds to the Momentum: Mickey Steen is a good friend of thecurler.com and RocKTalk. He's had a few health challenges of his own in recent times so he knows first hand the importance of Team Strachan's effort to raise awareness and research funding for ALS Research. Mickey's email says "put me down for $10 per win for Brent". Mickey's email address moniker is thepope in recognition of Pope Siding - a spot on the railway track in the Hamiota district so he's a hometown boy supporting Brent and the guys in their effort.  But he didn't miss the chance at a small 'shot' when he noted my son Michael's 4-4 record in the MCA 'spiel and sent his congrats to Mike for having woon the bragging rights around the Coutts homes (my own Team Magnusson ended up at 3-3). Thanks Mickey!

So now the total is $140.00 per win for the defending champion Senior men's team wins at this years provincials.
$10 - Mickey Steen
$20 - Team Sigurdson
$20 - Team DeBlonde
$20 - McPhail Travel
$20 - thecurler.com
$50 - Team Strachan
$140 - TOTAL
**
Vowing to do his best to beat the defending champion Brent Strachan team, Bob Sigurdson has added his team's support to the Strachan team effort to raise funds for ALS Research. Bob's email says Team Sigurdson adds $20 per Strachan win to the effort, but like Peter Kennedy, says "we will also try to beat them if they are in our pool".

So now the total is $130.00 per win for the defending champion Senior men's team wins at this years provincials.
$20 - Team Sigurdson
$20 - Team DeBlonde
$20 - McPhail Travel
$20 - thecurler.com
$50 - Team Strachan
$130 - TOTAL

**
ALS FUND-RAISER: Team DeBlonde Keeps the Ball Rolling: An email this morning from Peter Kennedy sends words of encouragement to Brent Strachan, his family, and the team's effort to raise some ALS Research funding at this year's Senior Provincials. Kennedy says "put Team DeBlonde down for $20 per win in Brandon - but tell Brent that we'll still try to beat him if we are in the same group."  Thanks, Peter!

So now the total is $110.00 per win for the defending champion Senior men's team wins at this years provincials.
$20 - Team DeBlonde
$20 - McPhail Travel
$20 - thecurler.com
$50 - Team Strachan
$110 - TOTAL

**
McPhail Travel Starts the Ball Rolling: McPhail Travel's slogan is Big City Service - Small Town Attention.  Maybe they should add - Manitoba Caring!!  Brian Salt of McPhail, the Carberry based Travel business, sent along an email this morning  adding to the Brent Strachan team effort to support ALS Research (see separate story).  Here is what Brian said in a few words...

Resby -  I would like to do the pledge to the Strachan team count me in for 20.00 per win as well .

So now the total is $90.00 per win for the defending champion Senior men's team wins at this years provincials.

$20 - McPhail Travel
$20 - thecurler.com
$50 - Team Strachan
$90 - TOTAL

Join us in the effort.  I'd suggest every team in the provincial Seniors might want to add to the pledge total - the bigger the dollar amount, the more pressure it will put on the champs to win.