Youth Players & Families raise over $6,000 for anti-bullying/suicide organization

On Monday, December 30th, the Ramapo Saints hosted a fundraising hockey clinic ‘Skate for the Silent’ to benefit Stand for the Silent (SFTS), an anti-bullying & suicide not-for-profit organization that travels world wide to schools, community centers and other organizations, to educate kids and adults on the effects of bullying.

With Hockey Canada taking a huge anti bullying initiative and Major League Baseball recently jumping aboard with Stand for the Silent, the Ramapo Saints and SFTS joined forces, along with the local hockey community to help spread their message.

The Saints were joined by other fellow hockey players from the following organizations:

• Wayne Hockey Club
• North Jersey Avalanche
• Ice Dogs
• NJ Hitmen
• NJ Bandits
• Secaucus Patriots
• Montclair Blues
• NJ Falcons
• North Rockland
• Westchester Vipers
• Palisades Predators
• Skylands Kings

In addition to the clinic, a silent auction was held and featured some great items donated by local families, businesses, the New York Islanders and the NY Rangers. The event was a great success and raised over $6,000 for Stand for the Silent! Each player was sent off with an event hockey jersey and gift bag. 

The clinic itself consisted of two sessions, one for 8U *10U and the other for 12U & 14U. Each clinic was 90 minutes long and featured approximately 50 minutes of station-based drills and small-area battle & 3v3 games, followed by 35 minutes of power skating with Saints Director and former NHL player, Randy Velischek. New York Rangers alumni Brian Mullen joined the kids on the ice for all three hours and signed autographs after each session.

The Ramapo Saints and Sport-O-Rama Ice Rinks would like to thank all of the players, coaches, volunteers, and donors for making this event a huge success.

Most importantly, we should all express sincere gratitude for Mr. Kirk Smalley and Stand for the Silent for fighting the good fight. No 5-minute majors or game misconducts here! For more information on SFTS or to make a donation, visit www.standforthesilent.org.

Presentation Photo by:  Valentina Katsnelson
Auction Photos:  Jill Cappa
Action Clinic Photos:  Todd Kolb