Ottawa Senators and Refugee Sponsorship Support Program welcome newly arrived Refugees

The Ottawa Senators and the Refugee Sponsorship Support Program (“SSP”) are teaming up to raise funds and welcome newly arrived refugees to Ottawa. On Saturday, March 26, a group of newly arrived refugees will take to the ice with the help of volunteers at Canadian Tire Centre just hours before they’ll see the Senators take on the Anaheim Ducks.

Together, the organizations are putting on a special fundraising initiative for fans to attend the game, welcome some of Ottawa’s newest residents, and support refugee sponsorship in Ottawa.

“We could not think of a better way to welcome newcomers to our community then to share an opportunity to do something that captures the spirit of being Canadian – skating and playing hockey,” said Peter O’Leary, chief marking officer of the Ottawa Senators. “As community leaders, we feel it is important to support great causes like this and we are honored to welcome refugees to our community while celebrating the important work of the Refugee Sponsorship Support Program.”

In addition to providing a private pre-game skate, the Senators are offering a 10% discount, waiving service charges and donating a portion of sales to the SSP for tickets purchased using the promo code “REFUGEE”.

“Come and show your support and welcome Ottawa’s newcomers into our beautiful community,” urges Katie Black, lawyer and SSP co-founder. “As a mother, I am grateful for this opportunity to share my family’s love of hockey with so many refugee families. This celebration is the definition of Canada and the beauty of our Country.”

The SSP is asking fans to consider purchasing tickets to donate to refugees. Those interested in donating are asked to email their tickets for distribution by Monday, March 21, 2016 to Malaika Njau, National SSP Coordinator at Malaika.njau@uottawa.ca For individual tickets or groups of eight or less, please visit: www.capitaltickets.ca/promo and use promo code ** REFUGEE ** .

For groups of nine or more and to reserve seats all together, please contact: Jade Fair at 613–599-0372 or fairj@ottawasenators.com ** Background ** The Refugee Sponsorship Support Program (SSP) is an innovative national legal program helping Canadians to bring more refugees to safety, faster. A primarily volunteer-run organization based at the University of Ottawa’s Refugee Hub, the SSP trains and coordinates a national network of lawyers who give free legal help to Canadians who want to sponsor refugees to come to Canada. More than 1,200 lawyers and law students are involved across the country. To learn more, visit RefugeeSSP.ca