Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/118963
on the fly USA Hockey people & Programs Michigan Teen Scores Big For Make-A-Wish Ryan Rabinowitz hopes that one day kids in other states will help their local Make-A-Wish Foundation chapters raise money the way he did during this past hockey season. For now though, other children's wishes are one step closer to being granted thanks to Rabinowitz and the generosity of Michigan youth hockey teams and their parents. The 14-year-old from Novi, Mich., decided in October to create a "Round Up At The Rink" fund-raiser that raised $2,854.23 for the MakeA-Wish Foundation of Michigan. Rabinowitz orchestrated the fund-raiser that gave Michigan parents and youth hockey fans the option to "round up" their bill to the nearest dollar at local hockey rink concession stands one day during the season. The leftover change was then donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. "I had no idea where this would go as far as raising as much money as we did," Rabinowitz said. "I couldn't be happier to give that money to such a great organization. The sky was the limit with this program." The Novi High School freshman went out of his way to contact more than 100 Michigan hockey rinks to bring this fund-raiser to fruition. Rabinowitz had aspired to raise $5,000, the cost to grant a child a wish through the Make-AWish Foundation. Still, the money Rabinowitz did help raise will assist the Make-AWish Foundation in a variety of ways such as covering the cost of lodging or airfare for a child. Rabinowitz plans on bringing his fund-raiser back next year with the objective of reaching his goal and making a child's wish come true. "At the end of the day it's not for me or just Michigan," Rabinowitz said. "There are kids all over America who are less fortunate and have life threatening illnesses or diseases, and to be able to raise as much money as we can for them is the huge thing." Rhinos Take It Off For Local Cancer Survivor If there's one thing you can say about the El Paso (Texas) Rhinos hockey organization, they sure do stick together. When a member of the local hockey community, 15-year-old Katie Woods, was diagnosed with an aggressive type of cancer, the entire organization wanted to help. That included the Rhinos Junior A team, with players, coaches and even the stick boy, all shaving their heads to show solidarity for Katie as well as others fighting childhood cancers during an event at the El Paso Event Center on March 2. In the process the team raised $2,000 for childhood cancer research. Katie first noticed a bump on her leg in April while playing hockey, and when it got bigger a month later her parents took her to her doctor. A tumor was discovered in her leg, and a CT scan revealed the cancer in her leg, hip, shoulder and spine. The tumor has since been removed and Katie currently has no living cancer cells. "As a team and as an organization, the St. Baldrick's event really brings the Rhino family closer together," said Tom Herman, director of youth hockey and assistant coach for the Rhinos. "Unfortunately many families have been affected by cancer and this past year watching part of the Rhino family battle cancer and watch Katie go through everything she has, this event is the least we could do." The St. Baldrick's Foundation is committed to funding research that could lead to cures for childhood cancers. 12 April/May. 2013 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM Rye Rangers To The Rescue Food drives are an annual occurrence during the holiday season as people look to help those less fortunate during festive times. The Rye Rangers know that the need to stock the shelves in local food pantries doesn't diminish once the decorations are put away. That's why the New York-based hockey program held its annual food drive from Jan. 26 to Feb. 8 to benefit the Carver Center in Port Chester. And on Feb. 10, players, parents and coaches braved the snowstorm to deliver carloads of food and then helped stock the pantry that feeds an estimated 1,300 people every month. Sharon Ketchabaw, who runs the Rye Rangers youth hockey club with her husband Steve, called upon teams at all levels, from Mites to Bantams, to help out. "Each player was asked to bring one item to each practice or game day, so it was easy," Ketchabaw said. To avoid duplication, each team was assigned various items. For example, Mites involved with the ADM program were asked to bring one-pound bags or boxes of rice or pasta, while Bantam players were tasked with bringing canned fruits and vegetables. According to Ketchabaw, when the collection drive started last year, the team was moved by the sight of nearly bare shelves. "The need is even greater now," she said. "It's a different world, and these kids are not sheltered. There is a lot of need. It's in their backyard now, and they want to help. They're happy to help. They know they have an impact." Jags Bag For A Good Cause When it comes to the battle to combat hunger in Michigan, the Gleaners Food Bank is on the front lines. The program, which distributed 46 million pounds of food to people in need in 2012, including more than 300,000 children, recently received a huge assist from the Michigan Jaguars youth hockey program. On Feb. 16 the 2001 Jaguars, their coaches and a number of parents spent the afternoon at Gleaners Food Bank in Pontiac helping to pack meals to help feed kids in southeast Michigan. The backpack program provides kids with food to take home over the weekend to ensure they have enough to eat. Gleaners relies on volunteers like the Jaguars to create and fill the back packs. In one day, the Jaguars helped the cause by creating more than 700 backpacks that provided kids with 2,105 meals over the course of the weekend. Decatur, Ill., Youth Hockey Supports Troops Some people wear their hearts on their sleeve when it comes to showing their support for U.S. military members. The Decatur (Ill.) Youth Hockey Association took it a step further by sporting a special patch on their hockey jerseys. The patches read, "U.S. hockey players support our troops," and were designed by the organization — New York Hockey Players Support Our Troops. It features a bald eagle grasping two hockey sticks in its talons. According to Dawn Kramer, who serves on the association's board, the association bought about 150 patches, which will result in $750 going to support the military personnel and their families in states where the fundraisers are held. In addition to the patches, the association sold jerseys and cups, with plans to donate the proceeds to military charities. They also made special pucks for veterans who attended the hockey games. The group also hosted a drive for care package items for those serving overseas. Photos courtesy of the Trish Rabinowitz; Dawn Kramer; Oscar Yanez; Rye Rangers