USED EQUIPMENT & SKATE COLLECTION
Hi all,
We hope you are ready and eager for the holiday season ahead. It’s hard to accept that we are nearing the end of 2024. If our hockey families are fortunate and Santa stops by your home and deposits new hockey equipment and/or skates under your tree that would be a good thing for all.
We are reaching out to all of our GAHA/Rampart families as we need help! The inventories of skates and hockey equipment are very low especially for the younger players (potential beginners). If you have skates, hockey equipment as well as sticks (and hockey bags in good condition) in your garages, basements, closets or attics that you are open to donating we certainly would welcome them. There is a donation box right inside the entry doors to the Rink as well as a donation box next to the shelving units in the back of the rink (at the end of the bleachers).
The “Used Equipment/Skate Collection” that exists at the end of the bleachers and to date has helped so many deserving children with a strong desire to get involved in our wonderful sport of hockey. Twenty-seven youngsters who participated in last year’s USA Try Hockey Program last November and February joined our Beginner Program in October. Many of the families took advantage of the “free” equipment/skate collection here at the Rink. As of today eight youngsters from this past November USA Try Hockey for Free Event have registered for Session II of the Beginners starting on January 11th.
GAHA is growing its numbers from the ground up with 57 players thus far in the present Beginner Program and the Mite Program features four strong teams. Much of this growth started out with the opportunity for those families who aren’t ready to invest in new hockey equipment until it is evident that their child really “wants” to play hockey. Thus the purpose of the “Used Equipment/Skate Collection”.
We have also added “adult” size equipment/skates for those individuals who are participating in the Rink’s “adult” Learn to Skate/Play Hockey Program – “Forever Young” and it has been very well received.
I personally want to thank all of you who have been so generously donating items throughout the last few years and who continue to donate.
If your players are fortunate enough to be acquiring some new hockey gear or skates, we are reaching out to you to ask if you would consider donating your original equipment and/or skates to our collection.
Items donated at the McCarthy Rink will be distributed to families within our Rink!
Families are welcome to help themselves to needed items or if you need help in selecting items for your players, please contact Sharon Gray at 585-344-2248 or for assistance and she will make arrangements to meet you at the Rink during regular operating hours.
If your child arrives at the Rink without a piece of equipment or a jersey, feel free to grab the item from the bins (if item is available) and we ask that you return after the practice or game or place it in the Collection Bin between the front doors.
The Used Equipment and Skate Collection is managed by Sharon Gray on behalf of the Friends of the Rink. Please do not hesitate to contact her if you have any questions or concerns.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS & BEST WISHES FOR A HAPPY AND HEALTHY NEW YEAR!
