SASKATOON — Local entrepreneur Kyle Hoffman, as much as possible, wants to keep things private when it comes to his family’s charitable work with the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital Foundation, particularly the cancer unit.
He owns family-run Hoffman Elite Enterprises Ltd. that offers Hydrovac services in various projects in the province, and nearby Alberta and Manitoba. The company opened in 2018 but Hoffman has been in the Hydrovac industry for 19 years.
HEEL thrives to provide safe and efficient services on projects and job sites connected to uranium and potash mining, oil and gas facilities, pipeline and telecom work like the laying of underground fibre-optic cables.
Their business had two of their trucks painted in gold to promote childhood cancer awareness and at the same time donate a portion of the proceeds of the said equipment to the JPCHF cancer fund. The first truck was dedicated in 2019 and the second was in June of this year.
Gold was used since 1997 as the colour to represent childhood cancer awareness. Since gold is a precious metal it also reflects a precious thing in our lives and that is children.
They had both trucks customized, design and other modifications, at hydrovac truck manufacturer Tornado Global Hydrovacs. The Red Deer, Alberta-based manufacturer helped them in putting their vision and design on the truck.
Hoffman said their decision to support JPCHF’s tremendous work in assisting young cancer patients and their families was close to their hearts after personally witnessing the impact of the dreaded disease.
“Me and my wife thought of this because of situations we personally had with some of our friends and family members. They were impacted with children’s cancer — children who had lost their lives to cancer and who are still battling cancer,” said Hoffman.
“We met with our family and some close friends, where we talked about trying to make a positive change in Saskatchewan about the children’s hospital. Specifically, the children’s cancer unit. That’s kind of what we’ve been doing.”
Hoffman added that they would collect all the proceeds from the project where the truck was used for the year and then Hoffman’s wife would donate the money to the JPCHF in September.
“That’s what we’ve been doing and we’re pretty proud of it.”
He said they received an overwhelming response of support from the community with folks at the Foundation grateful for their gesture.
“The hospital was extremely excited because they never had anything like this before. They never had this big truck that’s painted gold and is helping raise children’s cancer awareness.”
“They were super excited when we told them that we have a second truck that’s also painted gold. We also had other family members and friends that have also donated to [JPCHF] thru a link on our website that goes directly to the hospital website and was set up by [JPCHF Community Engagement manager] Heather Hedstrom.”
Hoffman said, as much as possible, they want to remain low-key in helping raise child cancer awareness and being JPCHF’s charitable partner. He was even reluctant for an interview with SASKTODAY.ca, trying to keep a low profile, but after some convincing by one of his friends he changed his mind.
“We don’t want to go out of our way to advertise it at all. We’ve never advertised. It’s just something that we, my family, want to do and feel good doing it. If it will make a difference, then I’m going to do my part.”
