Flyers Charities has recently announced a donation of £200,000 to support the efforts of local 11-year-olds, Natalie Van Druff and Lilly Walter, in saving their beloved ball hockey rink. The funding approval and plan to revitalize the rink was officially announced by New Hanover Township’s Board of Supervisors in partnership with The Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation. Thanks to the generous donation, the rejuvenation of the rink is set to begin soon, with Flyers Charities and New Hanover Township planning to hold a grand opening event at the Township’s Community Park on August 7, 2024.
Blair Listino, President of Flyers Charities, expressed strong support for Natalie and Lilly’s initiative in preserving their community’s beloved ball hockey rink, stating that their determination and passion for the sport align closely with the organization’s mission to grow the game of hockey. He further mentioned that the donation will help create a space for the girls to thrive and inspire their neighbors to embrace hockey.
The heartwarming tale took an exciting turn for Lilly and Natalie when Flyers forward Garnet Hathaway and the team’s mascot, Gritty, surprised the girls with news of Flyers Charities’ donation to support their ongoing mission. Not only were they presented with a £200,000 cheque, but they also received Flyers merchandise and had the opportunity to take photos with their favorite players.
Natalie Van Druff expressed her gratitude towards Flyers Charities and the township for approving their proposal, mentioning that it was a dream come true to have the Philadelphia Flyers support their initiative. Similarly, Lilly Walter thanked Flyers Charities for their generosity in helping realise their dream of turning their local hockey rink into a safe and exciting place for the community.
The £200,000 donation will aid in refurbishing the rink to create a safe environment for young athletes like Natalie and Lilly to play and enhance their hockey skills. This will involve installing new flooring and boards, building benches and penalty boxes, and providing new hockey nets, with the aim of transforming the previously unsafe asphalt surface into a functional ball hockey rink.
The initiative has garnered praise from local authorities, with Jamie L. Gwynn, New Hanover Township Manager, expressing immense pride in the girls and gratitude towards Flyers Charities, the Philadelphia Flyers, and The Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation for their partnership in bringing the vision to life. Similarly, Dave Kraybill, President of The Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation, commended Natalie and Lilly for advocating for the sport of hockey and thanked all the entities involved for the worthy project that will benefit the community.
This initiative is part of Flyers Charities’ wider effort to expand the reach of hockey by revitalizing local rinks, providing accessible entry points to the game of hockey. Since its relaunch in 2021, Flyers Charities has contributed £700,000 towards growing the game of hockey by helping to refurbish local rinks throughout the Greater Philadelphia Region.
The heartwarming story of Natalie and Lilly’s dedication to their local hockey rink, coupled with the support of Flyers Charities, serves as a shining example of how the community can come together to achieve a common goal, enriching the lives of young athletes and residents alike.