They didn't keep score, have a ref, or play for a trophy, but Thursday's 3 p.m. ball hockey game on Whitehorse's broomball rink was pretty special. That's because the real winners of the game were the people and organizations that were helped, by October's United Way of Yukon campaign.

This October is United Way Month and has the slogan 'Yukoners helping Yukoners'.

The 1st Annual United Way BBQ and Ball Hockey Shinny Extravaganza, was organized by the RCMP, Parks Canada, Environment Canada and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans as a way to thank their staff for the hard work as well as contributions they made towards the month long campaign.

'I think it's great,' said Monique Chatterton, the campaign co-ordinator with United Way of Yukon. 'It's a way to get people out of their offices and having a good time, in addition to raising funds for a local charitable organization. It's also building links between departments that otherwise wouldn't be made.'

There were plenty of laughs and good times to be had at the event, which drew over 20 people for it's inaugural year. Since late September the United Way of Yukon has put on three other major public events, which included a pancake breakfast, a turkey trot and a curling bonspiel. But the organizations who hosted the event have done a lot of internal fundraising, in the last month, organizing events, such as silent auctions, bake sales, as well as collecting individual donations from staff members.

The event featured burgers and beverages that could be purchased with a donation to the United Way of Yukon. For entertainment attendants had the option of playing ball hockey, where all they needed was a stick and in some cases a vest.

Lots of goals were scored throughout the hour and a half of play and players were constantly switching in and out of the game. Different skill sets and levels of competition were displayed, but everyone playing seemed like they were having a good time.

Chatterton, whose role was to support the four organizations that planned the event and to get the word out about it, said the hockey was to make the event more fun and attract more people.

'It's pretty relaxed, people just grabbed a hockey stick and joined one of the two teams and not everyone out there knows the rules of hockey; it is more in the spirit of fun and charity.'

Anne Landry came to the event to support the campaign and have fun with fellow colleagues. Landry works in Parks Canada and doesn't have any specific role with the United Way of Yukon, but she was one of the people who helped organize the event. Landry helped circulate a poster advertising the event and got the word. Her efforts resulted in bringing group from her office, who Laundry joked about being 'a small, but enthusiastic contingent.'

Landry said she was enjoying the event and, despite pulling a muscle in her calf while playing, thought the option to play ball hockey was a good idea.

'The ball hockey is kind of fun,' she said. 'There are no particular rules, you can play with however many you have on a side and you don't need too much equipment.'

Landry said pulling her calf muscle was a small price to pay for doing a good deed and thinks it is important to take part in events that help fund organizations, such as the United Way.

'I think United Way is a good cause that everyone can rally around in their own way,' Landry said. 'The good work that is done gets distributed throughout the community to people who are in need.'