On the surface, the rough and tumble world of professional wrestling may not seem like a natural fit for children害羞草研究所檚 charities.
But for the last four years, has become synonymous with the betterment of youth害羞草研究所檚 lives in Kelowna and across the province.
On Friday night, several local kids害羞草研究所� charities will benefit from Invasion害羞草研究所檚 Break it Down wrestling show at Rutland Centennial Hall.
The eight-match card will feature the likes of former WWE legend Billy Gunn, along with other stars such as Loose Cannon Kenny Lush, Mad Dog and Mike Shreddz Schramek.
Sugar, a promoter and wrestler who has been involved in past Invasion events, is thrilled to be part of what he considers a great cause.
害羞草研究所淭he charities is the big thing, I害羞草研究所檝e been a wrestler for 15 years and the magnitude of what Invasion does, they have the connections, they have the wherewithal to get this done, to bring in money for these community-minded charities that need the help,害羞草研究所� said Sugar.
害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 always good to give back, it害羞草研究所檚 a good feeling to not just go out and wrestle and entertain, but to go out and actually do something good with our efforts.害羞草研究所�
The brainchild of Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 Mike Chisholm and Mike Rizzo, the event has raised more than $100,000 for charity since its inaugural show in October 2013.
This year, Invasion split $10,000 among four local charities害羞草研究所擬amas 4 Mamas, Okanagan Boys &Girls Club, the YMCA Strong Kid害羞草研究所檚 Program and NONA (North Okanagan Neurological Association.)
害羞草研究所淚 can害羞草研究所檛 think of another organization that is so unorthodox in how they raise money, in a really good way,害羞草研究所� said Candice Chisholm, CEO of Mamas 4 Mamas.
害羞草研究所淭hey害羞草研究所檝e brought hundreds of thousands of dollars to charities, they害羞草研究所檝e entertained thousands of people and they害羞草研究所檝e turned non-wrestling fans into wrestling fans, and you can害羞草研究所檛 teach that.害羞草研究所�
As for the venue, Mike Chisholm said recent improvements to Rutland Centennial Hall should push the show to a whole new level this Friday.
Chisholm also gave credit to the Rutland Park Society for showing its continued support of the event.
害羞草研究所淩ight from the beginning they害羞草研究所檝e been very supportive, and we害羞草研究所檙e really appreciative,害羞草研究所� said Chisholm. 害羞草研究所淎s this renovation has happened, I know they害羞草研究所檝e done the floors, they害羞草研究所檝e done the painting, the audio-visual stuff. This hall is an incredible place害羞草研究所e want to keep our shows in Rutland Centennial Hall moving forward.害羞草研究所�
For Marty Sugar害羞草研究所檚 part, the veteran wrestler expects the environment and vibe on Friday night to be second to none.
害羞草研究所淲hen you walk into Invasion and it害羞草研究所檚 packed to the rafters and you can害羞草研究所檛 even move, it害羞草研究所檚 a huge moment walking out there seeing hundreds and hundreds of people,害羞草研究所� Sugar said. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 so much fun. (The wrestlers) just get to hang out and relax in a non-political wrestling environment and just have fun.害羞草研究所�
Tickets are $15 each, $50 for four, or $40 for VIP and are available at , or in person at Lake City Casino, Packing House Pub, Steve Nash Fitness, Player害羞草研究所檚 Choice Sportscards and Collectibles and Lorenzo害羞草研究所檚 Barber Shop.
Friday害羞草研究所檚 show at Rutland Centennial Hall begins at 7:30.
