On the surface, the rough and tumble world of professional wrestling may not seem like a natural fit for children乌鸦传媒檚 charities.
But for the last four years, has become synonymous with the betterment of youth乌鸦传媒檚 lives in Kelowna and across the province.
On Friday night, several local kids乌鸦传媒� charities will benefit from Invasion乌鸦传媒檚 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.
乌鸦传媒淭he charities is the big thing, I乌鸦传媒檝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,乌鸦传媒� said Sugar.
乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 always good to give back, it乌鸦传媒檚 a good feeling to not just go out and wrestle and entertain, but to go out and actually do something good with our efforts.乌鸦传媒�
The brainchild of Kelowna乌鸦传媒檚 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乌鸦传媒擬amas 4 Mamas, Okanagan Boys &Girls Club, the YMCA Strong Kid乌鸦传媒檚 Program and NONA (North Okanagan Neurological Association.)
乌鸦传媒淚 can乌鸦传媒檛 think of another organization that is so unorthodox in how they raise money, in a really good way,乌鸦传媒� said Candice Chisholm, CEO of Mamas 4 Mamas.
乌鸦传媒淭hey乌鸦传媒檝e brought hundreds of thousands of dollars to charities, they乌鸦传媒檝e entertained thousands of people and they乌鸦传媒檝e turned non-wrestling fans into wrestling fans, and you can乌鸦传媒檛 teach that.乌鸦传媒�
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.
乌鸦传媒淩ight from the beginning they乌鸦传媒檝e been very supportive, and we乌鸦传媒檙e really appreciative,乌鸦传媒� said Chisholm. 乌鸦传媒淎s this renovation has happened, I know they乌鸦传媒檝e done the floors, they乌鸦传媒檝e done the painting, the audio-visual stuff. This hall is an incredible place乌鸦传媒e want to keep our shows in Rutland Centennial Hall moving forward.乌鸦传媒�
For Marty Sugar乌鸦传媒檚 part, the veteran wrestler expects the environment and vibe on Friday night to be second to none.
乌鸦传媒淲hen you walk into Invasion and it乌鸦传媒檚 packed to the rafters and you can乌鸦传媒檛 even move, it乌鸦传媒檚 a huge moment walking out there seeing hundreds and hundreds of people,乌鸦传媒� Sugar said. 乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 so much fun. (The wrestlers) just get to hang out and relax in a non-political wrestling environment and just have fun.乌鸦传媒�
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乌鸦传媒檚 Choice Sportscards and Collectibles and Lorenzo乌鸦传媒檚 Barber Shop.
Friday乌鸦传媒檚 show at Rutland Centennial Hall begins at 7:30.
