The cause is reason enough to attend the St. Timothy High School's benefit hockey game this Thursday afternoon, but there will also be some NHL alumni on the ice and a chance to win some great raffle prizes.

This Thurs. Dec. 21, the 4th annual fun game in support of the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre is taking place at Totem One in the SLS Family Sports Centre. There's a Twoonie public skate from 12 noon and at 12:30 p.m. the puck drops for the game.

NHL alumni Curtis Glencross, Colin Forbes and Sheldon Kennedy will be participating as well as local MP Blake Richards, who use to run a charity hockey game of his own. There are also representatives of the Calgary Catholic School District participating and, of course, students and staff of St. Tim's.

Organizer Kevin MacLellan says more prizes than ever are up for grabs in the raffle and there will be plenty of silent auction sports memorabilia to bid on, too. You can win gift baskets, sports apparel, Sheldon Kennedy's book, backpacks and lots of gift cards from local businesses. Tickets are available at St. Tim's or during the game.

The silent auction continues into the New Year and it includes a team signed jersey from the Las Vegas Golden Knights, a signed Doug Hamilton jersey from the Flames and numerous autographed photos and hats.

"I'd say this is the most support we've had from the community and Calgary as a whole for the raffle," says MacLellan. "The response has been great."

As a Hockey Canada Skills Academy instructor (among other things) at St. Tim's, MacLellan sees no better way to enter the Christmas break.

"It's a great way to have some fun while raising funds and awareness."

The Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre is collaborative in approach and innovative in spirit. It is a not-for-profit organization – in alliance with the Calgary Police Service, Calgary Region Children’s Services, Alberta Health Services, Alberta Justice Calgary Crown Prosecutors’ Office, the RCMP, Alberta Education, the University of Calgary and Treaty 7 – that aims to set new standards for providing a strategic, effective and proven approach to child abuse.

While attendance is largely driven by St. Tim's, MacLellan says the more the merrier and all are welcome to enjoy the game, fill the stands and support the cause.

Admission is a mere $3.