Number of Participants: 48
Hours Donated: 10
Value of Time Served: $4,056
Event Amount Raised: $32,143
Event Type: Veterans & Military Families
Sport: Ice Hockey
School: La Salle Institute
Date: January 19, 2025
Location:
La Salle Institute
Williams Road, Troy
NY
About:
In 2017, the La Salle hockey team launched Cadets for Vets, a special initiative to raise awareness about veteran homelessness and show support for local veterans in need. The team began by visiting the Albany Housing Coalition and the Sgt. Henry Johnson Veteran’s House, where they had the opportunity to meet veterans, share meals, and hear their stories. These visits provided the players with a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by veterans experiencing homelessness in their own community.
The night of the game, the players brought a powerful sense of purpose, knowing they were playing for a cause far bigger than themselves. The energy from the players filled the stands, creating an electric atmosphere that drew a huge crowd, including many veterans and their families. Local news coverage helped highlight the issue of veteran homelessness and showcased La Salle’s efforts to make a meaningful difference.
Since the first Cadets for Vets game in 2018, the event has grown in significance. While the event had to pause for two years due to COVID, it has now raised a collective $100,000 to support housing-related services for local homeless veterans through the Albany Housing Coalition. The players play a key role in the success of the event, with efforts in soliciting donations and selling honor cards. Each year, the senior players visit the veterans’ house to share a dinner with the veterans and engage with them personally. This interaction creates a lasting connection for the players and deepens their understanding of the cause.
The game also featured speeches from several dignitaries, including the President of La Salle, a representative from the Albany Housing Coalition, the Mayor of Troy, NY, and New York Senator Jacob Ashby. As a token of appreciation, each veteran in attendance was given a challenge coin.
A special moment during the game was when each La Salle player was able to choose a veteran to play for. The veterans’ names were announced before the game, and each player shook hands with the veterans who were present, further emphasizing the connection between the team and the veterans they were supporting.
Cadets for Vets has now become a cornerstone event for the La Salle Hockey program, the school, and the veteran community. It continues to raise awareness and provide support for the veterans who have sacrificed so much.
Thank you to everyone who attended and supported our veterans. For more information on the Albany Housing Coalition and how you can contribute, please visit www.ahcvets.org.
