UCT launches partnership with American Special Hockey Association to help people with intellectual disabilities
PITTSBURGH, December 31, 2010 — UCT and the American Special Hockey Association (ASHA) have launched a three-year partnership to promote and grow ASHA's special hockey programs for young people with intellectual disabilities.
ASHA is a national hockey association created especially for players with intellectual disabilities. Its programs give people of all ages and abilities a chance to learn and grow by playing hockey. There are currently 45 ASHA programs and more than 80 special hockey teams throughout the U.S.
"The partnership with ASHA is a perfect fit for UCT and its members, since helping people with intellectual disabilities has been our top community service project for 50 years," UCT CEO Joe Hoffman said. "Our members will have opportunities to make a difference in the lives of others through volunteer efforts with and fundraising support for ASHA."
To officially launch the partnership, Hoffman presented a $15,000 check to ASHA President Mike Hickey and dropped the ceremonial first puck at ASHA's Special Winter Classic game in Pittsburgh on Dec. 31. The ASHA game was part of the festivities leading up to the NHL's Winter Classic. Going forward UCT will provide support to ASHA at local, national and international levels.
"This is one of the biggest partnerships ASHA has ever had, and we're excited about the possibilities it presents," Hickey said. "The financial support, of course, is tremendous. But, what's really exciting is the enormous impact UCT members and ASHA volunteers can make in the lives of our athletes by working together through local ASHA programs."
For more information contact Community Managers Tony Szymczak at (800) 848-0123, ext. 207, or at tszymzak@uct.org or Keith Ward at (502)758-4280 or at kward@uct.org.
To learn more about ASHA, visit their website at www.americanspecialhockey.org.
Members
In Action
Home Office
Terry Aughinbaugh does his best cowboy impersonation during the Showdown to End Hunger event for the Mid-Ohio Foodbank's Operation Feed campaign. Members of the Columbus community had a rompin', stompin' time collecting more than 1,000 meals for the campaign.
