History 2001 – 2003
2001
- Building on its success, 50 children take part in the H.E.R.O.S. Summer Program. More families show up to cheer or volunteer their time, reflecting the program’s positive effects on behaviour and attitude at home.
- CIBC Wood Gundy Park Place renews its commitment to the H.E.R.O.S. program with what becomes an annual donation.
- The NHLPA Goals & Dreams Fund boosts its support by donating more equipment to the program.
- H.E.R.O.S.’ growing funding support enables the program to send its first participant to play in the sixth annual Willie O'Ree All-Star Weekend in Tampa Bay, Florida. The event, named in honour of the first black hockey player in the NHL, features two all-star games, a skills competition, and the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet NHL stars.
- The second annual Christmas party is a huge success. H.E.R.O.S. provides buses and tickets to take the children, many of whom had never experienced a live hockey game, to see the Vancouver Canucks play at GM Place.
2002
- The Vancouver School Board honours H.E.R.O.S. with the Program of the Year Award.
- H.E.R.O.S. becomes a federally registered charity.
- Another 45 children complete the H.E.R.O.S. Summer Camp and return for the Fall Program
- H.E.R.O.S. sponsors continue their generous commitment of time and resources. This enables H.E.R.O.S. to send another child to the Willie O'Ree All-Star Weekend in Columbus, Ohio, supported by the NHL Diversity Task Force.
2003
H.E.R.O.S. marks its fourth Summer Camp in Vancouver. Word about the program spreads. So many new participants – including many more girls – want to take part, that demand exceeds capacity.
H.E.R.O.S. receives the prestigious CIBC Miracle Maker Award, of which only four are awarded annually across Canada.
H.E.R.O.S. sponsors another child to participate in the NHL Diversity Willie O'Ree All-Star Weekend in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Four other H.E.R.O.S. children are sent to local minor hockey leagues, and H.E.R.O.S supplies their equipment and registration fees. Two of these children had never skated before beginning the program in 2000, and one of them played on the league’s winning team.
