Abbotsford Heat Foundation board members, accompanied by team mascot Hawkey, presented cheques totalling $50,000 to local organizations on Tuesday.

Abbotsford Heat Foundation board members, accompanied by team mascot Hawkey, presented cheques totalling $50,000 to local organizations on Tuesday.

Heat Foundation gives out $50,000 in grants

The Abbotsford Heat Foundation handed out $50,000 in grants on Tuesday to 12 local charities.

The Abbotsford Heat Foundation handed out $50,000 in grants on Tuesday to 12 local charities.

Recipients for the 2012-13 granting cycle included the Canadian Rope Skipping Federation; Fraser Valley Autism Society; Ann Davis Transition Society; Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Fraser Valley; Fraser Valley Brain Injury Association; Matthew’s House; Abbotsford Restorative Justice Advocacy Association; Cyrus Centre; KidSport Abbotsford; CNIB/BCYukon Division; Abbotsford Youth Commission; and the Abbotsford Youth Health Centre.

Tuesday’s grants push the Heat Foundation’s total past the $100,000 mark over the past three seasons. Over the same time period, the local AHL club has raised more than $300,000 for local charities and minor hockey groups via 50/50 contests and ticket sales promotions.

The Heat Foundation’s objective is to improve the quality of life for the under-17 age group of the Fraser Valley. They seek to do this by supporting grassroots sports, projects that improve health, education and fitness, and programs that repress risk-related behaviour.

Abbotsford News