Superstore, through its President's Choice Children's Charity, recently raised $10,000 to help Coulson Mattatall, who suffers from cerebral palsy, get the power-lift assistance vehicle he needs to get around.
"This was a tremendous help," said Coulson's mother, Jennifer Tattrie of the donation. "I can't lift Coulson anymore so otherwise, we wouldn't be able to get him to the games if we didn't have the van. We wouldn't be able to get him anywhere."
Bearcats, Coulson's family and staff from the Superstore gathered to celebrate, with lots of Bearcats cake and smiles to go around.
Coulson is a dedicated Bearcats fan with season tickets and even shares a pregame ritual with head coach Shawn Evans.
"Coulson sits behind the penalty box area every game," Evans said. "Our tradition when I come out, I give him a salute, he waves back and away we go."
Evans met Coulson this year through coaching his sister, who plays with Evans's daughter in Atom hockey and he got to know him on a personal level. Evans said Coulson made a huge impact on his outlook to the season.
"Coulson has really put wins and losses into perspective this year."
The Bearcats coach and players made Coulson's day, as he wore a signed game-worn jersey he received in January on his 16th birthday, but Evans said it isn't just Coulson that benefits.
"It's good for everybody. It's good for Coulson; it's good for the players. It's just a good feeling to be a part of stuff like this and the players don't realize the impact they have."
This is the 27th year for the charity that runs twice a year, and benefits from customers who donate $2 as they go through the cash checkouts.