Twelve members of the Calgary Stampeders paid a visit to the Alberta Children’s Hospital on Tuesday afternoon to launch the 20th edition of the Every Yard Counts Program, presented by Shane Homes.

Fred Bennett, Matt Bucknor, Simon Charbonneau-Campeau, Ciante Evans, Dexter Janke, Glenn Love, Deron Mayo, Anthony Parker, Rene Paredes, Adam Thibault, Brandon Smith and Jamar Wall were all on hand to interact with dozens of children receiving various treatments.

Every Yard Counts sees four players – Bennett, Charbonneau-Campeau, Paredes and Smith – make weekly visits to the facility on the day before each home game throughout the season.

Tuesday’s event included players accompanying the kids in numerous activities including arts and crafts, tic-tac-toe and various other games while also signing autographs and posing for pictures.

Ralph the Dog, Ashleigh of the Outriders, presented by Century Downs, and Stamps alumnus and childhood cancer survivor Vince Danielsen were also on hand on behalf of the team.

Brandon Smith, the program’s longstanding player representative, is passionate about giving back to the community through this initiative on an annual basis.

“Being able to do this for nine seasons, it’s something I look forward to,” explained Smith, a CFL all-star who first signed with the Stamps back in 2008. “So to have a turnout like we have here where everyone is having fun playing games and brightening up the kids’ days brings smiles to our faces, as well. The day before the game, we’re able to come out here and (it) just kind of gets you away from the stress of football (to) come and do some positive things and have fun with the kids.”

The Stampeders are pleased to donate 20 season tickets to be used by patients and their families, while Shane Homes generously provides an additional 200 tickets. In addition, Danielsen, a former receiver for the Red and White, extends invitations to two patients from the Hospital’s oncology unit to join him at each home game before then conducting an exclusive post-game locker-room tour.

Shane Homes also provided gift bags to the kids at today’s launch which included hand-clapper noisemakers, bubbles, and sunglasses.

Also delighted to attend the program launch was Bennett, as the defensive back always enjoys the opportunity to spend time with youngsters battling illness.

“Just to come see some of these kids and put a smile on their face for the hour or so that I’m here (is rewarding),” Bennett explained. “It’s something dear to me and something that I enjoy doing and I look forward to it this year. We play a little Connect Four, a little wheelchair football, and just a variety of different things that they have going on. It’s just good to come out here and have fun with these kids and put that smile on their face. Just knowing that I’m doing something like that, it’s a really proud thing for me.”

Click here to view photos of the launch