13
Apr
2010
“DinoMights” in Minnesota Proves Hockey is for Everyone
By admin. Posted in Afterschool Program | No Comments »
HP4K member, T.J. McElroy, is donating his time and talent this month as a volunteer coordinator for DinoMights, a Minnesota organization dedicated to helping urban youth develop physical, academic, social and spiritual excellence.
“Basically, I’m in charge of two volunteer shifts at Augsburg Ice Arena in Minneapolis,” McElroy told us. “I’m getting groups together to help inner-city first graders tie their skates and then get them out on the ice for the first time. These learn-to-skate sessions introduce the kids to DinoMights and many of them will officially join the program this fall.”
DinoMights is also affiliated with the NHL’s Hockey is for Everyone program, an initiative that provides support and unique programming to nonprofit youth hockey organizations across North America that are committed to offering children of all backgrounds opportunities to play hockey.
“What’s cool about it is that it’s much more than a hockey program – it’s a family and a way of life. The high school graduation rate for kids that go through the DinoMights program is 85%, as compared to the 55% average seen by the Minneapolis Public Schools.”
DinoMights is funded in part through contributions from the Kelly Phillips Charitable Foundation.
“The Foundation was started upon the passing of a hockey player who was dear to me and so many people who knew her,” said McElroy. “We are volunteering with DinoMights to carry on her legacy as a giver and a leader.”
For more information on how to get involved with the DinoMights program, click here. To see a photo gallery of T.J. McElroy helping out with the program this spring, click here.
