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WORCESTER – Worcester Sharks President and CEO Michael T. Lehr announced that the Sharks and their fans raised more than $100,000 for various charitable causes through Sharks Charities during the 2008-09 season. The total was part of $2.38 million that was raised over the course of the season by the AHL and its 29 member clubs for donation to various charitable causes and relief funds across North America.

“The entire Sharks organization, our sponsors, and our fans feel a responsibility to do our part to support the central Massachusetts and greater Worcester community,” said Lehr. “Whether it is monetarily or from a volunteer standpoint, we should all make an effort to support our neighbors and friends in need.”

Highlights from the 2008-09 Worcester Sharks community efforts include:

·         The “Be a Leader” program. Announced in late September of 2007 by the Worcester Sharks and the Law Firm of Abigail Williams and Associates, the “Be a Leader” program is designed to provide students between the grades of 4-6 with leadership tips to enrich their lives as well as others around them.  Several Sharks players and Sharks Mascot, FINZ, were present at the school assemblies along with the principle of the Law Firm of Abigail Williams and Associates, Abby Williams and the Sharks Director of Community Relations, Michael Myers. The program reached out to over 4,000 students in central Massachusetts, with each receiving a free ticket to a Sharks game, compliments of the Law Firm of Abigail Williams and Associates.

 

·         Sharks players and staff joined the Law Firm of Abigail Williams and Associates for the First Annual Be a Leader Community Service Day and rolled up their sleeves and revamped the exterior and playgrounds of the Clark Street Elementary School in Worcester. The basketball court, playground, outside exterior of the school, parking lots, and street hockey rink were all refurbished by the Sharks players and staffs.

 

·         Give “Moore” for the Holidays – Sharks player toy drive. Sharks defenseman Mike Moore rallied his teammates to participate by purchasing toys for children from Community Healthlink of Worcester. Sharks players treated several families to a hockey game and a total of $3,000 of toys.

 

·         Over 1,000 pounds of food were collected in part with the 3rd Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive presented by Price Chopper, which was donated to the Friendly House of Worcester.

 

·        Third Annual Hat and Mittens Holiday Skate with the Sharks presented by Fidelity Investments. The Hat & Mittens Holiday Skate with the Sharks was free and open to the public. All participants were kindly asked to bring a new winter hat, mittens or scarf with them to the event, as all collected items were donated to Community Health Link, Inc. of Worcester. The evening included festive holiday music, free hot chocolate and cookies, and a special visit from Santa Claus.

 

·         The third Annual “Evening with the Worcester Sharks” presented by Bay State Savings Bank raised $5,000 to benefit  Project Smile and Sharks Charities through Bay State Savings Bank’s Champions for Children program. 

 

·         Over 2,000 students participated in the highly popular “Reading is Cool” program where a Sharks player and FINZ read to local school children to emphasize the importance of reading. Each child received a free Sharks ticket compliments of the Law Firm of Abigail Williams and Associates and a slice of pizza courtesy of Papa Gino’s.

 
Additionally, Sharks players, FINZ, staff, and the Street Brigade, made over 300 community appearances to schools, hospitals, hockey rinks, and special events throughout central Massachusetts and the greater Worcester area. Over 15,000 Sharks tickets were donated to local organizations via Sharks Charities.  
 

Sharks Charities, lead by Chairwoman of Sharks Charities, Ms. Mary DeFeudis, is dedicated to meeting the educational, social and cultural needs of our community and is proud to partner with local organizations, in an effort to enhance the lives of residents throughout Central Massachusetts, with a focus on youth.

 

For more information regarding Worcester Sharks community efforts or Sharks Charities, please contact the Director of Community Relations and Youth Hockey Michael Myers at 508-929-0500 or visit www.SharksAHL.com.

 

The previous article is excerpted from a Press Release by the Worcester Sharks. What’s News is the alternate profile of Todd Civin and is used to promote the Worcester Sharks of the AHL, the Boston Breakers of the WPS and the Worcester Tornadoes of the CanAm Baseball League. Todd Civin is a freelance writer and can be reached for hire at toddcivin1@aim.com