Winnipeg Jets captain Blake Wheeler and Voak Sportswear team up in support of local Winnipeg businesses

The coronavirus pandemic has shut down sports for close to two months.  But more importantly it has shut down thousands of local businesses, many of which will struggle to re-open whenever they are allowed to by the Manitoba government.

With that in mind Chris Watchorn who is the Creative Director at VOAK Sportswear was chatting with Jets captain Blake Wheeler about what they could do to help raise funds for some local businesses that they support.

This release came from VOAK Sportswear today:

There hasn’t been anything easy about the past number weeks.

This was the conversation Blake and I were having the other day between a game of mini sticks, LEGO building and overall child management as we play our reoccurring roles as referee. We were chatting about life in isolation here in Winnipeg and how we both just craved warmer days, face-to-face interaction and to get back to business as usual. As we chatted the conversation shifted to local business and some of the ramifications this pandemic will have on some of our favourite establishments and businesses here in the city.

In light of the current situation we wanted to play a small role in supporting, encouraging and bringing awareness as to the importance of supporting local business. We have partnered with sports artist, and friend of the Voak Sportswear brand, Ryan Simpson and collaborated on a limited run of prints. These prints will be available for purchase for one week starting May 1, at voaksportswear.com/shop[1] and ending Saturday, May 9 or while supplies last. They will come personally signed by Blake with the option for custom inscription giving Winnipeggers a head start on Father’s Day, preparing for that Jet fans next Birthday or even a head start on Christmas (yikes). 100% of the proceeds after covering costs will be immediately invested into local business here in Winnipeg in the form of gift card purchases, donations and a few small random acts for deserving people which we will be sharing with our followers on voaksportswear.com[2] and @voaksportswear.

A number of these gift cards will be randomly included in with orders, so not only might the customer get a pretty unique piece of art/sports memorabilia but might just get a gift card for one of our favourite Winnipeg businesses.

Thank you for your support in sharing the initiative on your platform and helping us share the story. Know your help in this initiative will benefit a number of yours and our favourite local establishments.

Support local business and take care of one another.

This is what the print looks like:

Here are some additional details of the print that you can purchase:

Each print is 11”x14” printed here in Canada on premium textured cotton vellum.

Print edition is limited to 150 pieces.

Gift cards will be purchased in varying denominations from some of Voak and the Wheeler’s favourite local business establishments including hospitality and retail and we will be shipping some of those out in orders (approximately 1 in 5 shipments).

They indicate on their site that 100% of the proceeds (after covering costs) will go to support local businesses.  You can purchase the print here.