Members turn out to support American Special Hockey
COLUMBUS, March 2011 - Members of Ohio's Columbus Council 1, Gem City Council 3 in Dayton, Lancaster Council 6 and M.J. Terapak Council 144 in Columbus turned out to cheer on a recent special hockey game between the Columbus CCYHA Special Blue Jackets and the Pittsburgh Steel City Icebergs.
The game was part of an American Special Hockey Association (ASHA) program. ASHA is a national hockey association created especially for players with developmental and intellectual disabilities. UCT and ASHA have a three-year partnership to promote and grow ASHA's special hockey programs.
"I was happy to be there to support both teams," Council 144 member Candace Bobo said of the close game won by the Icebergs. "Watching the way the players looked out for each other and seemed to care more about sportsmanship than winning the game was really inspiring. It made winners of all of the players, and I'm so glad I was able to experience it."
UCT's home office sponsored an after-game pizza party for players and their families. To top off the event, UCT's CEO Joe Hoffman presented $1,000 each to the coaches of both teams to help with travel costs to the Special Hockey International (SHI) tournament being held in April in Boston. Members, Board members and staff raised the money through fundraising events held throughout what was designated as "ASHA Month."
Icebergs coach Jarron Gass was thrilled with the unexpected contribution. "UCT's generosity in helping our group offset travel to the international tournament in Boston will have a direct impact on our players' families," he noted. "Many of our families have health and education issues to tackle, which makes participating in hockey a challenge, especially when it comes to traveling. This support will make it possible for us to keep the cost of participating at a minimum."
Members
In Action
Home Office
Heather Darling, Nicole Watson and Sonja Miller step up to help fill Faith Mission's truck at UCT's Keepin' the Faith event. The cold weather community service drive collected over 30 boxes of critically needed items and $1,075 for Faith Mission's homeless shelters.
