In the winter of 2025, Rick’s Heart Foundation partnered with the Surrey Eagles to host a Vancouver Canucks Alumni hockey game to raise funds for the Birds and Buddies Program. Fast forward to the 25/26 school year, and the Birds and Buddies program has launched! Thank you to every single player, staff and volunteer at the Surrey Eagles for making this program a success. Instilling confidence and a sense of self in young students. We look forward to seeing this program flourish.
The Surrey Eagles Birds and Buddies Fall launch event summary. With 14 children being able to attend and a couple who we will re-schedule for as they couldn’t make it— we were able to welcome all of them, and their parents to the arena! Each kid received their backpacks with school supplies, Eagles swag, water bottles, pens, notebooks, collars, etc! As well as a box which contains tickets for themselves and their families, and an additional 10 tickets to hand out to their friends, peers, and other children!
The “Birds and Buddies” program is about more than hockey—it’s about building confidence, promoting social inclusion, and creating lasting memories. For these young students, knowing they have a “big bird” looking out for them can make a world of difference, both in the classroom and beyond. The mentorship they receive helps them grow athletically, socially, and emotionally, giving them a sense of belonging and a role model to look up to. To stay up to date on this program, follow the Surrey Eagles on Instagram, link below.
