Mount Everett Hockey Veteran Appreciation

It all started with Coach Jake King as he wanted to give back to the community. After meeting we decided on our veterans. Our military service men and women, along with their families, need our help and deserve to be recognized for all they have done, the courage it took for them to fulfill their duties and what they have sacrificed for our country. When we brought it up to the parents and players they agreed. Originally we planned on donating everything we raised to VFW Post #6851 (run by Kirk Harrington) in Canaan, CT which is just over the border and services the veterans in our area as well. He does an amazing job of helping and honoring our nation’s service members. However, we ended up splitting what was raised with the Berkshire Veteran Outreach Center (located in Pittsfield, MA) run by Steve Schultze, here is an article about him https://www.iberkshires.com/story/64914/Veteran-Spotlight-Lt.-Col.-Steven-Schultze.html .

 

We raised monetary funds a total of $1,231.60, plus toiletry & pantry items, along with 4 Big Y Gift Cards in the amount of $25 each. This will be divided based on the needs for each organization.

 

We had special jerseys made for this event  but we had 4 extra printed. 2 of them were raffled off and the other 2 were signed by our players and coaches and donated to the VFW with their Post number on them. On January 16th Mr. Steve Schultze, along with Army Vietnam Veteran Henry Morris, joined our team for a pasta dinner at the school. Our Booster Club sponsored the dinner and the Team members helped set-up and break down for this dinner. Steve and Henry spoke to our team a little bit about their experience, but mainly focused on what it means to be a teammate and a leader, and how to make the most of every experience that you are given. Last night on January 30th we hosted our first ever fundraising event where 2 local teams (Mt. Everett Eagles vs. Housatonic Valley Mountaineers) battled it out on the ice, which turned out to be a nail biter of a game. It went into overtime with the Eagles coming out with the win 3-2.  We wanted to play the Mountaineers as they are located just across the MA/CT state line. Therefore, not only do a lot of the kids/parents know each other, but that also means that the veterans who are helped are typically from the same areas that both schools are located in, so both sides are giving back to their community.

 

The team helped set-up for the event as well, here are some of the details:

Date: Monday, January 30, 2023

Location: Berkshire School, Sheffield, MA – shout out to them as they allow us to use their facilities and be considered our Home Base for all practices & Home Games. Craig Whiting is who we coordinate with, his contact information is below as well

Teams:  Mt. Everett Eagles (Host) vs. Housatonic Valley Mountaineers (located in Falls Village, CT)

Puck Drops: 8pm

Entrance Fee:  We did not charge a ticket fee for this game, instead we asked for donations (monetary, toiletry, pantry, larger sized winter coats, and gift cards to local grocery stores)

Reserved Section:  We had a reserved section for any veteran that attended the game. I also read a short speech thanking all Veterans for their service:  “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the first Mt. Everett Hockey team fundraiser that will be giving back to its community. We are here tonight not just to watch 2 local teams battle it out on the ice, but also and more importantly, to honor our service members and to remember the sacrifices they have made, as well as the courage it took to defend our country. All members of our armed services please rise. Veterans, you have done your duty, to your families, to your communities, to your fallen comrades, and to your country. You have honorably served your nation with great distinction, and we can never say it enough–for your service in war and in peace, from the bottom of our hearts, thank you. Let us pause for a moment of silence in honor of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.”

Pre-Game Talk:  Colonel Harrington from the VFW brought along a Major and a Corporal to speak to the team right before the game in the locker room.

Home Game Sponsor:  KayCee & Co who had a vendor table set-up and donated a Taco Night Gift Basket (valued at $100) to our raffle table

Honorary 1st Puck Drop:  We rolled out a carpet onto the ice and had 1 of our Captains, senior Jay T Seward escorted out Army Vietnam Veteran Henry Morris who dropped the 1st puck alongside Marine Veteran John Quinto (served our country from 1987-1992) who was one of the refs for our game, I have his contact information as well.

Moment of Silence:  We held a moment of silence before kicking off the ame in honor of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

Raffles Table: $1 per ticket or $10 for 12 tickets

Concession Stand:  open and serving all sorts of drinks, snacks and hot food

 

 

 

VFW Post #6851

Address:  104 South Canaan Rd, Canaan, CT 06018

Contact: Commander of Post Colonel Kirk Harrington

 

Berkshire Veteran Outreach Center

Address:  505 East Street, Suite 103, Pittsfield, MA 01201

Website: https://berkshireveterans.com/

 

Home Game Sponsors:

Owners — Cassidy Considine  & Kelly Dempsey

* These ladies also own Nutrition on Railroad and they’ve offered special teas and shakes to our team for pre/post game

 

Berkshire School – Ice Rink – Eagles Home Base

Address:  245 N. Undermountain Rd, Sheffield, MA 01257

Contact:  Craig Whiting