FOR THIRD CONSECUTIVE SEASON, YOUTH HOCKEY PLAYERS THROUGHOUT MINNESOTA TO RAISE FUNDS FOR KIDS WITH DISABILITIES AND COMPLEX MEDICAL CONDITIONS
ST PAUL, MN - Hiway Hockey Kids4Kids, an award-winning community initiative that encourages youth hockey players throughout Minnesota to raise funds for kids with disabilities and complex medical conditions, returns for the third consecutive season. The innovative program is a collaboration between Hiway Federal Credit Union® (Hiway), the Minnesota Wild, Wild goaltender Devan Dubnyk, Minnesota Hockey and Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare in Saint Paul. Since the program's inception, dozens of teams and hundreds of youth hockey players have raised over $40,000 for Gillette Children's.
Hiway Hockey Kids4Kids inspires youth hockey teams to community service by encouraging them to develop creative fundraisers on behalf of Gillette Children's and help kids who may not be able to play hockey due to complex medical conditions or injuries. Teams that raise $500 or more will be qualified to win a one-of-a-kind team party in a suite at the Minnesota Wild - St. Louis Blues game on Sunday, February 23, 2020. The winning team, selected at random, will also receive an exclusive pregame tour of the Xcel Energy Center, meet members of the Minnesota Wild and receive merchandise from the Wild and Hiway. All teams that participate in the program will be invited to complimentary skate sessions at Xcel Energy Center. Each member of any team that raises at least $500 will also receive a limited-edition Minnesota Wild-Hockey Kids4Kids branded cap.
Hiway Hockey Kids4Kids has been honored with the statewide Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award. The award, sponsored by the Minnesota Credit Union Network (MnCUN) and the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), recognizes credit unions for the activities they coordinate that benefit their community or a specific charity. It is currently being considered by Children's Miracle Network for a potential national roll-out.
"Serving our community and helping others can start at an early age," said Hiway President and CEO Dave Boden. "Volunteering helps athletes understand the power and joy of community service. Hiway is thrilled to have young teammates across the state helping us support the great work being done for kids at Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare."
Dubnyk, who has been the ambassador of the program since the beginning, has personal experience with Gillette Children's. His son had minor surgery at the hospital shortly after birth.
"We are proud to support the Hiway Hockey Kids4Kids program again this season," said Matt Majka, President of the Minnesota Wild. "This initiative provides youth hockey players with a unique opportunity to help build a greater state of hockey, something our organization is committed to doing each and every day."
"The support of Hiway Federal Credit Union, the Minnesota Wild, Devan Dubnyk and young hockey players throughout the state is humbling," said Dennis Jolley, Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Gillette. "We're honored to have such great players on our team helping kids with health challenges right here in Minnesota."
Hiway Hockey Kids4Kids will run from October 1, 2019 through February 10, 2020. Any youth hockey team that is governed by the Minnesota State High School League and/or Minnesota Hockey, the official governing board of youth hockey in the state, is eligible to participate. Details and registration information can be found at hockeykids4kids.org.
Participating teams and donors can help spread the word about the campaign via social media using the hashtag #hockeykids4kids.
ABOUT HIWAY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
Hiway Federal Credit Union, the official credit union of the Minnesota Wild, was founded in 1931 to serve the employees of the Minnesota Highway Department. Today, Hiway serves over 73,000 members in Minnesota and around the country, registers $1.1 billion in assets and welcomes new membership from individuals and small businesses. Hiway offers its members unparalleled member service and a lifetime of savings through lower loan rates, higher savings rates and fewer and lower fees. Federally insured by NCUA.
ABOUT GILLETTE CHILDREN'S SPECIALTY HEALTHCARE
Founded in 1897, Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare, based in St. Paul, MN was the first hospital in the nation for kids who have disabilities. Last year, nearly 25,000 families with children facing such complex medical conditions as cerebral palsy, epilepsy and traumatic brain injury, trusted Gillette to help their children thrive. Gillette tailors its care model specifically to the needs of its patient and family community so they can achieve their highest potential.
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