It's going to be an extra special home opener for the Okotoks Dawgs Friday night.

With all the buzz of the new scoreboard and fan experiences being hyped for months now, the organization will also be helping a local WMBL community at the same time.

Dawgs Vice President of Promotions & Special Events Will Gardner says with the Fort McMurray Giants in town it will be a big night for fans to show their support towards the fire ravaged city.

"Stand with this team as they represent that entire community," Gardner says. "We are glad to have the Giants here and we're going to have a lot of special things that night in giving fans an opportunity to be part of support and financial assistance for Fort McMurray because we have a special night of recognizing the devastation of that community."

Gardner says there will be plenty of opportunities to help give back to those who are just now starting to return home after being evacuated in early May.

"As an organization we decided that the proceeds from the 50/50, rather than go into our youth academy, 100 percent of the proceeds of our portion will be donated to the Red Cross and go to the Fort McMurray disaster relief fund."

Also during the pre-game presentation, the Dawgs will be honouring all of those on the front lines during the fire including firefighters locally from High River & the M.D. of Foothills who lent a helping hand.

"We want to pay tribute to them before the game starts and recognize them on behalf of all the rescue workers and all that they've done so it's going to be a special night. A glowing tribute to front line emergency workers, to our fellow community of Fort McMurray. We welcome the Fort McMurray Giants to our league and want to have a great night of baseball."

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