Calgary, AB - Monday, July 7, 2014
Fundraiser calls on car enthusiasts to participate and help boost donation
If there are two things Matt Syntak loves, it’s cars and his four-year-old niece. Last month, the Kal Tire assistant manager was brainstorming a way for the tire dealer to have fun with Calgary’s community of car enthusiasts and raise money for the place that supported Syntak’s family when his niece was sick. That’s when he got the idea for the poker run being held July 19.
“Our operating costs continue to rise each year and without support from organizations such as Kal Tire, we couldn’t make our budget. We are so thankful to Kal Tire for helping give sick children what they need most… their families.”
“I thought this would be a fun way for the community and our team members to get together and support the Ronald McDonald House,” says Syntak, whose family was able to stay there while his niece, born prematurely with a handful of health issues, received care at the nearby Alberta Children’s Hospital.
Team members behind the Kal Tire Calgary and Area Poker Run hope to raise $15,000 for Ronald McDonald House Southern Alberta by attracting 400 participants. Every penny of each $25 registration fee will go directly to Ronald McDonald House, and Kal Tire is matching each registration fee up to $5,000.
“We’re always amazed at how much support we receive from the Calgary community,” says Larry Mathieson, CEO, Ronald McDonald House Southern Alberta. “Our operating costs continue to rise each year and without support from organizations such as Kal Tire, we couldn’t make our budget. We are so thankful to Kal Tire for helping give sick children what they need most… their families.”
The poker run fundraiser starts at 11 a.m. at the Chinook Mall Kal Tire location where participants receive their first five cards. To build a winning poker hand, drivers can visit all, any or none of the 17 Kal Tire locations in Calgary, Airdrie, Strathmore and Cochrane. The winning hand and prizes will be announced at 3 p.m. at Kal Tire’s North Hill Mall location.
“This is a fun way for us to give back to the community and spend time with the customers we serve every day,” says Mike Butcher, Kal Tire senior zone manager. “We encourage everyone to get out and help us raise money for such a great cause, and also to drive safely because it’s not a race.”
The Kal Tire Calgary and Area Poker Run is open to all kinds of vehicles. Registration forms as well as full rules, regulations and information are available at http://www.kaltire.com/pokerrun.
About Kal Tire
Kal Tire is Canada’s largest independent tire dealer and North America’s largest commercial tire dealer. Kal Tire Mining Tire Group is a global leader in mining tire service and supply, operating on more than 150 mine sites in 17 countries across five continents. The company has warehouse facilities strategically located across Canada servicing more than 250 Kal Tire retail and commercial stores. As the largest truck tire retreader in Canada, Kal Tire owns and operates 10 truck tire retread facilities plus an additional four earthmover retreading facilities are located in Canada, the United Kingdom and Ghana, West Africa. The company employs more than 5,400 team members. For more information on Kal Tire, please visit http://www.kaltire.com.
Attached photo:
Matt Syntak, assistant manager of the Kal Tire store on 32 Street NE, readies the 55 decks of cards that will be given to participants of the Kal Tire Calgary and Area Poker Run July 19. Syntak is hoping the event will draw 400 participants and raise $15,000 for Ronald McDonald House.
