Youth hockey teams from throughout the State of Hockey raised nearly $10,000 for Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare in Saint Paul this season. The fundraising effort took place as a part of Hiway Federal Credit Union’s new initiative, Hockey Kids4Kids, which is designed to teach youth hockey players the importance of teamwork and generosity while helping other kids facing serious health conditions.

Hiway Hockey Kids4Kids, a collaboration with the Minnesota Wild, Wild goaltender Devan Dubnyk and Minnesota Hockey, encouraged youth hockey teams to use their own creative ideas to raise funds for Gillette Children’s. Teams that raised $500 or more qualified to win a one-of-a-kind team party in a suite at the Minnesota Wild – Detroit Red Wings game on Sunday, March 4, 2018. The Lakeville South Squirts C team was selected at random by Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare patient Joe Carr in a ceremony at the hospital.

“Our son, Dane, received physical therapy and occupational therapy services at Gillette Children’s for several years when he was younger,” said Lakeville South Squirts C team organizers Rick and Cindy Schumacher. “Today, thanks at least in part to Gillette Children’s, he’s a healthy, active kid who plays multiple sports. He’s finishing his second year of hockey and is gearing up for another season on the soccer field.”

“Everyone we encountered at Gillette Children’s was kind, professional, caring, and exceptional at what they do,” the Schumachers’ said. “We’ve seen the difference that Gillette can make, so we’re big believers. When we learned about the Hiway Hockey Kids4Kids campaign, an opportunity to raise money for Gillette Children’s while giving our kids a chance to win a team party at a Wild game, it was a no-brainer. Thanks to donations from friends and family, we ended up raising just over $1,100. Then, when our team was drawn to win a team party in a suite at a Wild game, that made something good just that much better!”

In addition to the team party in the suite, the Lakeville South Squirts C will experience an exclusive pregame tour of the Xcel Energy Center, meet members of the Minnesota Wild and receive merchandise from the Wild and Hiway.

“Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare is a special, special organization,” said Hiway Federal Credit Union President and CEO Dave Boden. “We want to thank all of the kids and teams that helped kids in our community who may not be able to play the great game of hockey due to serious medical conditions or injuries. Not only did they support an important cause, they experienced the power and joy that comes with giving.”

Hiway Hockey Kids4Kids ran from November 14, 2017 through February 10, 2018. Any youth hockey team governed by Minnesota Hockey, the official governing board of youth hockey in the state, was eligible to participate. All participating teams were invited by Hiway to skate as their guests on the Xcel Energy Center ice on Friday, February 16th and Sunday, February 18th.