In a couple of weeks, a group of dedicated ‘Pack-backers will take off their TRU WolfPack sweat-shirts and put on the dry-cleanables for the annual TRU Sports Task Force Gala Dinner and Dance.

An annual fundraiser, the Gala is a project of the TRU Sports Task Force, a group of sports-minded Kamloops business and community members. In the 26 years the task force has been around, it has raised over $1 million in much-needed funding for away-game expenses, home tournaments and equipment.

A portion of funding also goes for athletic scholarships, handed out to deserving athletes like Female Scholar Athlete of the Year, Shannon Enns, playing with her soccer team in the national finals this week, and Male Athlete of the Year Sean Garvey, who helped his team to a national championship last year, and is playing this year as the WolfPack enters the university league for the first time.

Expansion into the CIS means the task force has even more fundraising to do, said TRU Athletics Director Ken Olynyk, explaining that the task force is actively recruiting new members to meet the challenge of membership in the country’s university league.

“Coming to the gala gives people an enjoyable way to help out the WolfPack and meet task force members and others from our community who support scholar-athletes and the TRU WolfPack,” he said.

This year’s gala, which includes a gourmet dinner, entertainment, a silent auction, and dancing to a live band, will be held Friday, November 25 starting at 6:00 pm at TRU’s Grand Hall.

Tickets are available from Sports Task Force members, at the TRU Campus Activity Centre office, from TRU Athletics, or by calling 828-5273, for $230 per couple or $115 per person, with gala ‘Pack-backers receiving a tax receipt for a portion of the cost.

Those wishing to donate items for the silent auction may call Ted Erickson at 579-2383 or Colin Day at 376-9658.

For more information call Ken Olynyk at 828-5273.