It’s For The Kids… Sheldon Kennedy Coming To Red Deer To Entertain You!

Duane Rolheiser

Published

8 years ago

3 minute read

The 2017 Sheraton Celebrity Dance Off will feature former NHL player and child advocate Sheldon Kennedy.

After winning a gold medal with Canada’s National Junior Hockey Team and then the 1989 Memorial Cup with the Swift Current Broncos, Kennedy enjoyed a decade-long career in the NHL playing for the Detroit Red Wings, the Calgary Flames, and the Boston Bruins.

But despite these stellar accomplishments, Kennedy was battling a monster. Toward the end of his career he would reveal to the world that he was a victim of sexual abuse at the hands of former junior coach Graham James. It would take years to tame the demons resulting from the abuse, but Kennedy has managed to turn his terrifying world into one which is literally saving the lives of other people who have suffered like he did.

Kennedy has traveled the world speaking to organizations, universities, British Parliamentarians, US Congressmen and thousands of people involved in the care of young people who suffer abuse and bullying.

In 2013 the Calgary Child Advocacy Centre was renamed the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre. The centre provides a unique multi-disciplinary approach to services for children. It’s an entirely co-ordinated effort between Calgary Police Services, Alberta Health Services, Child and Family Services, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Alberta Education and crown prosecutors. A team of professionals work together to assess, treat, and seek justice for physically and sexually abused children. Sheldon Kennedy volunteers as Director

On Boxing Day 2014, Kennedy was named as a Member of the Order of Canada.

Everyone who supports the 2017 Sheraton Celebrity Dance Off will help bring Sheldon’s vision to Central Alberta. Proceeds from the Dance Off will support The Central Alberta Children’s Advocacy Centre and the Central Alberta Sexual Assault Centre as they take Kennedy’s collaborative model to a new level.

Each year the Sheraton Celebrity Dance Off manages to combine an unforgettable night of fun with some of the most important and most heart breaking causes needing our support. This year will be truly outstanding on all fronts as you can see in this short promotional video by Celebrity Dancer Sheldon Kennedy. We can’t wait for the event… It’s going to be a blast!!!

The Sheraton Celebrity Dance Off is sold out, but you can still support the cause “and” be eligible for some valuable prizes. Tickets for two raffles with incredible prizes are available at various locations. Information can be found here at www.celebritydanceoff.ca.

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Duane Rolheiser

After 15 years as a TV reporter with Global and CBC and as news director of RDTV in Red Deer, Duane set out on his own 2008 as a visual storyteller. During this period, he became fascinated with a burgeoning online world and how it could better serve local communities. This fascination led to Todayville, launched in 2016.

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Celebrity Dance Off

The Friends of the Red Deer Regional Hospital play a critical role in patient comfort

Published on April 23, 2019

Duane Rolheiser

There are a lot of moving parts (excuse the pun) in Red Deer’s annual Celebrity Dance Off. But in the end, Dance Off sets out to accomplish two goals with each performance. One is to raise funds for a much needed cause in our region. Two is to raise the profile of that same cause. In the long run, the second goal is probably more important. A higher profile can mean more ongoing support from volunteers and through donations.

In 2019 the Celebrity Dance Off partnered with the Friends of the Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre. Here’s what Dance Off Chair Christine Moore said when the partnership was announced.

“With roots going back to 1904, this group of dedicated volunteers have fundraised to support the care and comfort of patients at our hospital. Over the last 38 years, they have raised over $7 million. They exemplify everything about volunteerism and giving back to the community. They are the unsung heroes of our hospital.”

And this comes from the Friends website: “our mission is to facilitate innovative fundraising programs for equipment and services that benefit patient care and comfort in the Red Deer Regional Hospital…

Our fundraising dollars are geared to the purchase of medical furniture and fixtures, and to patient care and comfort up to a maximum of $4,999.00 per item. The Friends Centre assists with the provision of day-to-day supplies and comfort items. This includes personal grooming items, nursing supplies such as blood pressure monitors, blanket warmers and furniture for the units to share.”

Sometimes though it’s just best to ask those who see the benefits the Friends bring every day… Please enjoy this video.

Celebrity Dance Off

Travolta and Newton-John wrap up the Celebrity Dance Off

Published on April 20, 2019

Duane Rolheiser

Trevor Sopracolle went from watching the Celebrity Dance Off last year, to being front and centre this year! Trevor was the first “Oil Man” in the Celebrity Dance Off. Hopefully the first of many. He’s also one of the toughest looking Travolta’s you’ll ever see. Trevor and his pro partner Alex McPherson wrapped up the show with a brilliant choice of music from Grease. “Olivia” was amazing.. and “John” turned the world upside down. See for yourself. ..

My Story…

I was born in Goodsoil, Saskatchewan and moved to Alberta when I was in grade 3 and spent most of my youth in Consort.

I lost my Dad to cancer when I was in high school and so I grew up fast. At 17 I secured a loan for a 2-bedroom house with a dirt floor basement. To make ends meet, I worked as a tire technician at the local tire shop while attending high school. One of the only benefits of owning your own place in high school is having the coolest parties after the high school dances!

I moved to Red Deer in 1999 at the age of 19 and began working at Fountain Tire. Not long later a local snubbing company hired me. Over a 10-year period I worked my way up becoming a senior supervisor overseeing most of the higher-class pressure jobs and many overseas projects. In 2008, Garrett Radchenko and I started Goliath Snubbing Ltd., and we haven’t looked back.

I have also been blessed with the best kids a Dad could ask for. Being a single Dad with three kids under 8 definitely keeps me busy.