Guys for good causes

They’re called the Platinum Jets, and for more than 40 years, this bunch of guys from the North End has been making a positive difference in the community.

The childhood friends came together during university days, originating from a University of Winnipeg fraternity and intramural hockey team, and began setting aside money for donations from their tournaments and other events. More than 40 years later, they’ve distributed over $2.5 million to local charities.

The Platinum Jets’ philanthropic mission has been driven by North End pride and has focused on local needs, children’s charities, education and health care.

They’re not doing it for accolades or attention of any kind. In fact, much of the giving they’ve been doing since 1978 has happened quietly, behind the scenes. They see a need and they want to help.

Mike Cavell remembers meeting up in the university at Riddell Hall for their intramural hockey team to organize their first golf tournament in 1981.

“We had socials back then to fund jerseys, and we’d give small amounts to the Cheer Board,” he said, noting that they’ll be holding their 45th golf tournament in July.

Nowadays, the Platinum Jets Annual Golf Tournament is well known, with players clamouring to enter. This year, 194 golfers have already signed up to be part of the popular event — the group’s largest fundraiser — and there’s a waiting list.

“It feels really good,” said Cavell. “It’s what keeps you doing it. It’s a lot of fun and it’s a lot of work.”

As group members began to see interest in their activities grow, they decided that if they were going to continue, they would raise funds in a more official way. They became a registered charity in 2004 and now have about 32 board members.

“Most recently we’ve added a second generation — a lot of sons are involved,” said Cavell.

The Platinum Jets have contributed to the building of the St.Amant Centre’s Spirit Cottage, helped improve and modernize the emergency room at Seven Oaks Hospital, and provided funds for books for an elementary school library. They have supported HEROS (Hockey Education Reaching Out Society) Hockey, the Seven Oaks Performing Arts Centre and the Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba, among other organizations.

“The Spirit Cottage at St.Amant would not have been possible without the Platinum Jets,” said Tania Douglas, executive director of the St.Amant Foundation.

“Because of their incredible gift, people supported by St.Amant are able to come together with their families in a fully accessible space that offers dignity and inclusion,” said Douglas.

“In the 12 years since the Spirit Cottage has been built, nearly 2,000 bookings have taken place for celebrations, vacations and family time. We are so grateful to the Platinum Jets for helping to create all of these special moments that help people to live a good life.”

An interest in helping students access post-secondary education is also close to their hearts, and the Platinum Jets have created annual scholarships for high schools in the North End and West Kildonan.

Most of the members come from blue-collar backgrounds; some barely had enough to get by growing up, and they always remember where they came from. The scholarships are their way of giving back to those who may not otherwise have a chance to pursue academics.

“Every kid should have a chance to further their education,” said Cavell.

“Our direction to the schools is that we don’t want the award to go to the best athletes or students, but to those who really want to go. We try to determine where the award would make the most difference. We want folks that are deserving of post-secondary education that can’t afford it.”

Recently, the Platinum Jets put their support into welcome baskets for the Toba Centre for Children and Youth — a charitable child advocacy centre assisting abused children and families — when it held its first annual Healing Hope: Comfort Kid Drive last month.

“Everything is local — it all stays in Winnipeg,” noted Cavell.

“We’ve had some agencies in the past that we’ve dealt with a lot. We don’t do anything that funds operations; we try and fund projects. Children’s Rehabilitation Foundation, we’ve done a lot with,” Cavell added, explaining that donations have funded prosthetic limbs, which have made a real difference in the lives of the children receiving them.

Currently, the Platinum Jets are getting ready for their next charity event, this one to support Sleep In Heavenly Peace, a group that builds beds and delivers them to homes where children don’t have their own. Members spent a day making and delivering beds with the crew, and say it was eye-opening to see how the organization works.

A fundraising social will be held on Friday, April 17, at Four Crowns Restaurant & Bar at 1030 McPhillips St., with all proceeds going to Sleep In Heavenly Peace. Regular tickets are $20 each and support tickets are $10 and can be made by e-transfer to: mike@cavell.ca

The Platinum Jets welcome monetary donations to help brighten the lives of people in the community.

fpcity@freepress.mb.ca