Proudly wearing their new neck guards, the members of the Caledonia Hockey Club gather on the ice prior to the season kick-off with Rotary Kingdom Impact members and the family of Melynda Miller.
The Caledonia Hockey Club (CHC) received a special welcome at their season kick off on October 20th. When the girls arrived at Fenton Chester, they each received new, CHC branded neck guards that were gifted to the club by Rotary Kingdom Impact (Rotary KIC).
The idea for the project started with a quick conversation between CHC leader, Ken Burchesky and CHC parent and Rotary KIC member, Jay Miller. Ken shared with Jay that neck guards would be required for all who skate with CHC, and that he was looking for support to purchase them as it is a free/by-donation league. Neck guards provide important protection from lacerations that can cause serious injury.
This led to Rotary KIC applying for and receiving a grant from Rotary District 7850 to purchase the neck guards. The club had been looking for a way to give back to the community that would help them honor the memory of Melynda Miller, a member of the club who passed away in January.
When asked about the project, Rotary KIC President Katheryn Laferriere said, “Our club was so happy to have this project come to fruition in memory of our friend and founding board member, Melynda Miller. We hope that the neck guards will allow a new generation of young women to get out on the ice and learn to love hockey as much as Melynda did.”
Rotary International has a strong goal of empowering girls and young women. Through this project, Rotary KIC aimed to help meet this goal by giving the CHC members equipment needed to pursue the sport, and that would serve as a point of pride for the members by having them branded with the CHC logo.
The rink was abuzz as the girls got ready for their first skate and Rotary KIC members gathered along with the family of Melynda Miller. They shared a moment to remember Melynda and to show all involved with CHC that community members believe in them and support them.
The Caledonia Hockey Club is a free/by-donation no-check, skill-based ice hockey program for females age 2-20. The CHC has been in existence for more than 20 years. For more information, contact coach Ken Burchesky at 802-626-3235.