The better halves of the players fundraise for the Flames Foundation for Life.

Like it or not, Calgary is a hockey city. Although the Calgary Flames had a rough season, they’re community spirit is still alive through their charity work.

Recently, the wives of the Flames hosted the fifth annual Ultimate Ladies Night Out, a fashion show and auction that raises money for the team’s charitable arm, the Flames Foundation for Life. All proceeds raised are distributed to different Flames community and health initiatives. “It’s always fun. We want everyone to have a good time,” said Katie Stajan— wife of Flames centre Matt Stajan.

Candice Goudie, executive director for the foundation, said: “The girls put a lot of work into this event. It is important for them to be involved in community events, and this event has grown and evolved. We are very proud of it.”Katie Stajan struts her stuff on the catwalk at Flames Central.
Photo courtesy of: The Calgary Flames Hockey Club.

Not everyone may be aware of how much the Flames Foundation for Life adds to the city, said Eric Francis, a Calgary Sun sports columnist and Jack FM morning show co-host.

“There are so many things the Flames players do that people are unaware of — everything from building new arenas so we can have future Flames stars grow up here to funding to make our hospitals better. They make so many people’s lives better every day and we’re very lucky.”

The organization and players have provided over $370,000 in donations to local charities this year, said the Flames Foundation for Life website, with the Ultimate Ladies Night Out raising about $80,000.

The items up for auction at the event were baskets put together by each Flames couples made up of some of their favorite things. One of the biggest donations in one of the baskets was a one-year lease on a blue 2012 Toyota Scion, donated by centre Olli Jokinen and his wife, Katerina Jokinen.

One of the highlights of the evening was the wives’ fashion show, where the ladies modeled in outfits from local Calgary shops, which were then raffled off. As well, this year the fashion show included children of Flames’ players, who hammed it up on the catwalk throughout the show.

sharrower@cjournal.ca