**CITY OF TIMMINS MEDIA RELEASE**

United Way Centraide North East Ontario is pleased to announce the official launch of the inaugural United Way Charity Match presented by Bell Let’s Talk in support of youth mental health. This exciting match-up will take place September 14, 2018 between the OHL Sudbury Wolves and the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies of the QMJHL at the McIntyre Arena in Timmins.
 
This unique pairing of two high calibre teams will benefit United Way Centraide North East Ontario Timmins branch, and local youth mental health programs. The game is supported by the City of Timmins and the local Timmins Rock Junior “A” organization, who will manage ticket sales and the game day event.
 
To mark today’s announcement, Timmins Mayor Steve Black was joined by Michael Cullen, Executive Director of United Way Centraide North East Ontario, Gilles Bouchard, Head Coach and GM of the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, Ian Clermont, Huskies’ Administrative Director, Sudbury Wolves’ owner Dario Zulich and CEO Scott Lund and Renee Palmateer from Bell.
 
“Timmins, being such a great hockey community, made it easy to support the concept and express my own belief that our city would come out in full support,” said City of Timmins Mayor, Steve Black. “Having the OHL and QMJHL represented in this exhibition game will be an opportunity for everyone to witness some great hockey and build relationships with these two first class hockey organizations. We thank the Sudbury Wolves and Rouyn-Noranda Huskies for making this possible.”
 
“United Way Centraide North East Ontario is very pleased to welcome Bell Let’s Talk as the presenting sponsor of the inaugural United Way Charity Match,” said Michael Cullen, Executive Director, United Way Centraide North East Ontario. “We look forward to this becoming an annual event supporting youth mental health initiatives for youth and families in North Eastern Ontario. When communities come together to support each other, it creates a lasting and memorable impact.”
 
“The Sudbury Wolves are proud of the association and relationship we have established with United Way Centraide North East Ontario,” said Wolves Owner and Governor, Dario Zulich. “Relationships like these help our organizations make meaningful change in our communities. This charity game with the Rouyn-Noranda Huskies, in a community like Timmins and with the support of the Timmins Rock, means so much to both our teams and the Northern Ontario community of hockey enthusiasts!”
 
“The Rouyn-Noranda Huskies are really proud to play in Timmins against the Sudbury Wolves,” said Ian Clermont, Administrative Director of the Huskies. “It’s a great match up for hockey fans and a wonderful opportunity for the teams to support youth mental health. Timmins, like Sudbury and Rouyn-Noranda, is a great hockey community! Thanks to all the people involved here, this game will be a huge success… and will be the beginning of a new tradition.”
 
About United Way Centraide North East Ontario
 
For over 35 years, United Way Centraide North East Ontario has worked together with citizens, business leaders, government, labour and other organizations to address and alleviate social challenges over the short and long-term. United Way is a major funding organization that delivers ongoing support to social service agencies through its Community Fund, supporting a network of programs and services. The majority of these programs and services fall under their three focus areas;
– Helping kids be all they can be
– Building stronger communities
– Moving poverty to possibility