Charity Hockey Game Giving Back To Special Needs Children

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JAMESTOWN, NY (WNY News Now) – In an effort to give back to the community a local group of first responders are holding a charity hockey game, all to benefit special needs children and their “sibs”.

Co-founder and president of Community Through Hockey, Eric Herman, tells us that the upcoming event will have police officers and firefighters from all across Chautauqua County coming to a head, battling it out for a noble cause, charity.

“The two teams playing will be the Line of Courage Spartans,“ explained Herman. “That is members of the Jamestown Fire Department, Police Department, City of Dunkirk Police Department and Fire Department, New York State Police, Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office. And then we will be playing the Lakeview Shock Bulldogs, they’re all correctional officers from Lakeview Shock in Brocton.”

While the game is free to attend, Community Through Hockey will be fundraising with basket raffles and a 50/50 ticket drawing.

“All the proceeds from the game will benefit Kids and Sibs, It’s a summer day camp at camp Onyahsa in Dewittville,“ stated Herman.

Focusing on the needs of children with disabilities and their siblings, Kids and Sibs aims to connect through inclusive activities, acknowledging the struggles that children with disabilities go through.

“There is always a need,“ explained Herman. “Whether it’s a child that’s sick with cancer, a developmental issue, or for this year’s event, it’s for kids with disabilities, whether their physical or mental and their “Sibs” to attend a day camp together to kind of grow and learn from each other.”

In the end, Herman believes the hockey game is a good way to get community engagement to give back to someone in need.

“Firefighters, and Police Officers, and Correctional Officers, they’re just like everybody else, we want to help out,“ stated Herman. “And this is a great way to come and meet some of us and help raise funds for someone in need.”