Our neighbors, Mark and Connie, are organizing their annual Hockey-A-Thon to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project. Wounded Warrior Project serves veterans and service members who incurred a physical or mental injury, illness, or wound, co-incident to their military service AND their families. In addition to the physical wounds, it is estimated as many as 400,000 service members live with the invisible wounds of war including combat-related stress, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Another 320,000 are believed to have experienced a traumatic brain injury while on deployment. Here is where you can help our nation's heroes.

Our neighbors, Mark and Connie, are organizing their annual Hockey-A-Thon to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project. Wounded Warrior Project serves veterans and service members who incurred a physical or mental injury, illness, or wound, co-incident to their military service AND their families. In addition to the physical wounds, it is estimated as many as 400,000 service members live with the invisible wounds of war including combat-related stress, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Another 320,000 are believed to have experienced a traumatic brain injury while on deployment. Here is where you can help our nation's heroes.

The Wounded Warrior Project:

• Helps injured service members
• Provides service members with unique‚ direct programs and services to meet their needs.
• Empowers and honors wounded warriors
• Eases the burdens of the wounded and their families while they recover and transition back to civilian life

Want to see how one donation impacts a warrior's life?  Spend some time here.

Mark started this labor of love as his small way to give back to the countless veterans he knows. HIs dad is a World War II veteran and several of his hockey teammates are recent veterans. The event timing is poor since it is smack dab in the middle of his business' busy season. July is the only time the ice rink is available and the referees are able to donate their time. Plus, most of the food, drinks and raffle prizes are donated by local business. 

The event has grown to over 100 players who are divided between four team that play for a total of three hours. There is a one hour player break which opens the rink for free skate. This event has evolved into a family reunion for several players. One family has three players that come from three different states. While there are fifteen pairs of sons/daughters/father players. Makes for some dynamic player interaction. The average player donates $400 from his/her own fundraising efforts.

Mark and Connie's Hockey-A-Thon is only one of two hockey events approved by the Wounded Warrior Project. For the past three years, their event has raised over $91,100 for the charity. Their goal this year is over $50,000 - which I am confident they can reach with your support.  If you are able to help support this event, please visit the donation page here or  https://fundraise.woundedwarriorproject.org/RTT/Fundraising/team/hockey-benefit-2015 

You can also give me a check, made payable to Wounded Warrior Project, which I pass on to Mark and Connie - through their kitchen window. (That is an entirely different blog post.) Small donations add up, so consider donating even if only $10! 

Thank you in advance,

Sharon, The Mayor