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