Belleville Senators report nearly $350,000 in community contributions

The Belleville Senators turned the end of their 2025-26 season into a ledger of off-ice production, announcing nearly $350,000 in community contributions across the Bay of Quinte and lifting their total regional investment to nearly $1.5 million since arriving in Belleville in 2017. For a club that still sells itself on hockey first, the numbers now tell a bigger story: the Senators have become a steady source of money, tickets and event support for local organizations.

The clearest single line item was $142,637 in donated tickets, a figure that opened the door for charities, youth groups and families who might not otherwise have made it into CAA Arena. That was paired with $65,000 raised through the team’s 50/50 program for 13 local organizations, plus 256 event support requests that produced $52,332 in charitable donations. Chuck-a-Puck added another $39,059, supporting 21 community organizations, while specialty jersey auctions and theme-game initiatives brought in $11,776.

The team’s fundraising footprint reached well beyond game-night promotions. The Belleville General Hospital Foundation preseason weekend contributed $10,200, the YMCA received a $10,000 donation, and BP Buddies ticket donations totaled $3,647. Belleville business staff also took part in five community outreach initiatives during the season, giving the club a presence in classrooms, nonprofit events and local programming that extended past the rink.

Education remained a clear pillar of the operation. Eighteen schools participated in the Sens in School program, with $2,500 invested in educational initiatives and close to 5,000 students taking part. That school work fits the broader pattern the club has built since 2017, when its stated community focus was centered on health and wellness, education and youth.

The Senators also spent part of the year locking in specific partners for the future. In November, the club announced 13 organizations for its 2025-26 50/50 program, including the Belleville General Hospital Foundation, The Children’s Foundation, United Way of Hastings & Prince Edward, Habitat for Humanity Hastings & Prince Edward and the YMCA of Central East Ontario. John Mathers, the club’s vice president of business operations, has framed the effort as more than dollars alone, tying it to relationships, young fans and the organizations that give the franchise its reach. With the team heading toward its 10th anniversary season, Belleville is making a case that its value is measured not just in standings, but in how deeply it has worked itself into the market.