Powell River is lending its support to former Powell River Kings team captain Mike Warriner and his family.
In October, the 43-year-old father of two children aged five and nine was diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer. Chemotherapy has not worked, and the family has looked to an alternate treatment called immunotherapy, which uses the body’s own immune system to fight the disease. Currently, the family is in Arizona where Warriner is starting this costly treatment.
An online fundraising page was started, and though Warriner and his family live in Invermere, BC, word soon spread to Powell River. Warriner played with the then Powell River Paper Kings from 1992 to 1996.
“He was here for four years and he left quite a mark in Powell River,” said Kings director of business operations Nadine Porchetta. “All of the season ticket holders and old billet families remember him. It touches a lot of people because he is such a great guy.”
Porchetta described Warriner as a kind, soft-spoken person who has generously donated years of his time coaching and mentoring a variety of children through the minor hockey program.
To help raise funds, Powell River Kings are hosting a fundraiser when they play the Victoria Grizzlies on Sunday, February 17 at Hap Parker Arena. A tailgate barbecue with music provided by Dan Richard starts at 12:30 pm with all the proceeds to Warriner and his family. The Kings will also donate $5 for every walk-up ticket sold.
“We’re going to start our donations at centre ice before the game and auction off a jersey with Mike’s name on the back,” added Porchetta.
Laszlo Tamasik Dance Academy is also pitching in to support Warriner, said artistic director Paige Anderson. Each year the company puts on a fundraising show to pay for dance competition fees. This year, anything above 600 tickets sold will go directly to the Warriners. “We could potentially make Mike $2,000 if I can sell those tickets,” said Anderson. “I would love it if we could get the community to come out and fill the house so we could give the funds to Mike and his family.”
The response from the community is a testament to the character of Warriner, and the lasting impact he had here, added Porchetta.
“Hockey is family. It doesn’t matter whether you haven’t been involved with the organization in 20 years, you’re still part of that family and when one of ours has fallen we help and we try to pick them back up.”
The Pack the Hap for Mike Fundraiser starts at 12:30 pm this Sunday February 17 at the Hap Parker Arena at Powell River Recreation Complex. Game is at 2 pm. Laszlo Tamasik Dance Academy’s A Million Dreams recital is Saturday, February 23, with tickets available at the Peak office.
