Hiway Hockey Kids4Kids, an award-winning community initiative that encourages youth hockey players throughout Minnesota to raise funds for kids with disabilities and complex medical conditions, makes its return during the Minnesota Wild’s 2018-2019 season. This innovative program is a collaboration between Hiway Federal Credit Union® (Hiway), the Minnesota Wild, Wild goaltender Devan Dubnyk, Minnesota Hockey and Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare in Saint Paul. In its first year, Hiway Hockey Kids4Kids engaged 36 teams that raised $10,000 for Gillette Children’s.
Hiway Hockey Kids4Kids encourages youth hockey teams to think beyond themselves and come up with their own creative ideas to raise funds for Gillette Children’s to help other kids who may not be able to play hockey due to serious medical conditions or injuries. Teams that raise $500 or more will be qualified to win a one-of-a-kind team party in a suite at the Minnesota Wild – St. Louis Blues game on Sunday, February 24, 2019. The winning team, selected at random, will also be feted with an exclusive pregame tour of the Xcel Energy Center, meet members of the Minnesota Wild and receive merchandise from the Wild and Hiway. All teams that participate in the program will be invited to a complimentary skate session at the Xcel Energy Center. Each member of any team that raises at least $500 will also receive a limited-edition Hockey Kids4Kids cap.
Hiway Hockey Kids4Kids was honored with the statewide 2018 Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award. The award, sponsored by the Minnesota Credit Union Network (MnCUN) and the Credit Union National Association (CUNA), recognizes credit unions for the activities they coordinate that benefit their community or a specific charity. Hiway’s winning entry will advance to the national competition where it will compete with financial education projects from credit unions in other states.
“Gillette is a wonderful organization and the work they do with children and families in our community is amazing,” said Hiway President and CEO Dave Boden. “Hiway has over 20 years of history of supporting Gillette and we’re thrilled that hockey families, young athletes and communities throughout the state are engaging with us to help kids and families who benefit from the great work being done at Gillette Children’s.”
Dubnyk, who will return as ambassador of the program this season, said “My newborn son had minor surgery at Gillette Children’s recently so my family knows first-hand how passionate and dedicated the staff there is. I’m honored to join youth hockey players throughout Minnesota in supporting Gillette Children’s.”
“The Minnesota Wild is committed to create a greater state of hockey through our core principles of pride and fire, selflessness, unity and creativity,” said Matt Majka, president of the Minnesota Wild. “I can think of no better program that reflects those ideals than Hiway Hockey Kids4Kids.”
“We are honored and humbled by the support of Hiway Federal Credit Union, the Minnesota Wild, Devan Dubnyk and youth hockey players throughout Minnesota,” said Dennis Jolley, Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Gillette. “Their support on behalf of kids experiencing health challenges will make a real difference right here in Minnesota.”
Hiway Hockey Kids4Kids will run from October 1, 2018 through February 10, 2019. Any youth hockey team that is governed by the Minnesota State High School League and/or Minnesota Hockey, the official governing board of youth hockey in the state, is eligible to participate. Details and registration information can be found at hockeykids4kids.org.
Participating teams and donors can help spread the word about the campaign via social media using the hashtag #hockeykids4kids.
