Giving Back
Many of you have asked me over the years how you can help. I have pretty consistently asked people to volunteer and become part of the overall MYHockey community. The wave of people continues to amaze me. MYHockey averages over 25,000 unique visitors every week and more than 70,000 unique visitors every month. 500 of you are currently MYHockey volunteers. Thanks.
Others have asked if they could contribute financially. I appreciate the offers, but just have not felt ready to accept "donations". I am changing this, in a roundabout way, starting today.
We all know that youth hockey is a lifestyle more than a sport. We may not have understood that years ago when we signed up for those first skating lessons, but its pretty clear to all of us at this point. That "lifestyle" includes entering a fraternity of other hockey families. Go to a non-hockey function (yes, they exist, even if we rarely have time for them) and run into a hockey parent and notice the immediate bond. It's amazing. We are a large family...
So, when one of your members experiences a tragedy and needs help, I'd like to think the rest of us step up and offer assistance. No one needs to be the hero, simply lots of us doing something little. Going forward, I will let you know when one of our "family" members needs your help.
Derek Zike, a 1992 birth year player on the Chicago Fury Midget Minor 16U team was seriously injured in a NAHL Showcase Tournament game in Ann Arbor, Michigan on January 16, 2009. The result of losing his edge caused Derek to propel head first into the boards at a high rate of speed and Derek suffered a burst fracture of the 5th cervical vertebrae in his neck. Bone fragments from the fracture penetrated Derek’s spinal cord. Derek's recovery will be long and difficult. It will create tremendous stress on his family, as it would yours or mine.
Please consider making a contribution to help Derek and his family. There are details on how you can give to the Derek Zike Special Needs Trust on the Chicago Fury website. Additionally, www.derekzike.com has been established to keep all of us in the loop with Derek's progress. The site even allows you to donate by credit card or PayPal. If Red Wings coach Mike Babcock can stop by to visit Derek, you can take a minute to wish him well or donate this week's coffee money.
Thanks.
Others have asked if they could contribute financially. I appreciate the offers, but just have not felt ready to accept "donations". I am changing this, in a roundabout way, starting today.
We all know that youth hockey is a lifestyle more than a sport. We may not have understood that years ago when we signed up for those first skating lessons, but its pretty clear to all of us at this point. That "lifestyle" includes entering a fraternity of other hockey families. Go to a non-hockey function (yes, they exist, even if we rarely have time for them) and run into a hockey parent and notice the immediate bond. It's amazing. We are a large family...
So, when one of your members experiences a tragedy and needs help, I'd like to think the rest of us step up and offer assistance. No one needs to be the hero, simply lots of us doing something little. Going forward, I will let you know when one of our "family" members needs your help.
Derek Zike, a 1992 birth year player on the Chicago Fury Midget Minor 16U team was seriously injured in a NAHL Showcase Tournament game in Ann Arbor, Michigan on January 16, 2009. The result of losing his edge caused Derek to propel head first into the boards at a high rate of speed and Derek suffered a burst fracture of the 5th cervical vertebrae in his neck. Bone fragments from the fracture penetrated Derek’s spinal cord. Derek's recovery will be long and difficult. It will create tremendous stress on his family, as it would yours or mine.
Please consider making a contribution to help Derek and his family. There are details on how you can give to the Derek Zike Special Needs Trust on the Chicago Fury website. Additionally, www.derekzike.com has been established to keep all of us in the loop with Derek's progress. The site even allows you to donate by credit card or PayPal. If Red Wings coach Mike Babcock can stop by to visit Derek, you can take a minute to wish him well or donate this week's coffee money.
Thanks.
