A Night of Hockey, Hope, and Community: Affinity Credit Union & Hope’s Home Team Up for Families

On February 20th, the Brandt Centre felt a little brighter, not just because the Regina Pats were taking on the Edmonton Oil Kings, but because every cheer, goal, and celebration carried a deeper purpose. Affinity Credit Union, this year’s game sponsor, chose “Family” as the theme of the night in honour of Family Day weekend. In the spirit of that theme, they invited Hope’s Home to stand alongside them as their featured community partner, a gesture that reflects Affinity’s long-standing commitment to helping Saskatchewan families thrive.

This partnership is rooted in shared values. As a local, values based financial cooperative, Affinity puts people before profits and is dedicated to building a better world by connecting communities to possibility. Their investments in Saskatchewan communities are intentional and far reaching, from supporting local organizations, to circulating deposits back into the province as loans that strengthen families, businesses, and the local economy. Over the years, Affinity has consistently shown up for Hope’s Home: sponsoring Swing with the Stars, contributing to our Capital Campaign, and providing annual Community Development Funding. Their continued support reflects their core values of being open, honest, inclusive, and committed to the communities they serve. [affinitycu.ca]

Five Goals, Five Celebrations, $5,000 Raised

Affinity pledged $1,000 for every Pats goal, turning each scoring opportunity into something far more than points on the scoreboard. And the Pats delivered. Five goals lit up the arena, each one erupting in cheers from the stands and generating a total of $5,000 for Hope’s Home.

After the final buzzer sounded on the Pats’ 5–2 win, Affinity’s Chief Banking Officer and Hope’s Home Board Chair, Richard Schwan stepped forward to present CEO Lisa Wyatt with the cheque. It was more than a donation; it was a proud moment that recognized the important work Hope’s Home does for medically complex children and their families across Saskatchewan.

A Moment of Heart: The Hordos Family Takes Centre Ice

The most meaningful moment of the night happened long before the scoreboard told its final story. When Grace Hordos and her family entered onto the ice for the ceremonial puck drop, the arena fell into a rare hush. Their presence, a mix of courage, love, and resilience, reflected exactly what Hope’s Home stands for and exactly why partnerships like this matter.

As they released the puck, it became a symbol of what can happen when community organizations unite around shared values: belonging, equity, and hope for every child.

A Partnership Built on Shared Purpose

Affinity’s deep investment in community aligns closely with Hope’s Home’s mission. They believe, as we do, that when local organizations thrive, families thrive too. In 2024 alone, Affinity reinvested over $2.1 million into Saskatchewan communities and supported more than 700 organizations and initiatives across the province, demonstrating a commitment to social and financial inclusion, community assets, and local economic development.

For Hope’s Home, their partnership means more than funding. It means standing with a financial institution that believes children, regardless of medical needs, deserve to play, learn, and belong. It means celebrating moments like the Hordos’ puck drop and ensuring families feel supported both on and off the ice.

More Than a Game

February 20th wasn’t just about hockey. It was a celebration of what happens when community-minded organizations lift each other up. Together, Affinity Credit Union, the Regina Pats, and Hope’s Home created a night filled with joy, generosity, and connection.

It was a reminder that when a community invests in hope, the impact extends far beyond the arena, and into the lives of children and families who need it most.