COMMUNITY INITIATIVES/ANNUAL FUNDRAISING
The Islanders players, coaches, and staff give their spare time to various charitable events and fundraising efforts throughout the course of the season.
Hospital Visits
Each year the New York Islanders visit pediatric units at local hospitals during the month of December to spread some holiday cheer. The members of the team go from room to room signing autographs, taking pictures, and giving out toys to all the patients. This past season the team visited the following hospitals: Schneider’s Children Hospital, Stony Brook University Hospital, Winthrop University Hospital, Nassau University Medical Center, Good Samaritan Hospital, South Nassau Communities Hospital, and the Henry Viscardi School: National Center for Disabilities.
Food Drive
Each season the New York Islanders hold a food drive in the month of November to collect can foods and other non-perishable items. All food that is collected is distributed to families across Long Island that are less fortunate. This season the Islanders will be teaming up with Island Harvest for a turkey drive on Saturday, November 10th.
Toy Drive
Each season the New York Islanders hold a toy drive in the month of December to collect toys. All toys that are collected are given to various not for profit organizations that are dedicated to giving out toys to underprivileged and sick children. This season the Islanders will be teaming up with the John Theissen Foundation for the toy drive on Saturday, December 15th.
50/50 Raffle
Every home game the New York Islanders hold a 50/50 raffle to benefit the Islanders Children’s Foundation. Tickets are sold by the Ice Girls at various tables around the Coliseum concourse. Fans have from the time the doors open to the start of the third period to purchase a ticket. The winning ticket is then announced during the third period. All winners claim their prize at the Customer Service Booth located at Gate 3.
Teammates for Kids- Garth Brooks Foundation
In November 2005, the National Hockey League and National Hockey League Players’ Association jointly selected the Garth Brooks Teammates for Kids Foundation as the official children’s charity of the NHL and the NHLPA. This league wide alliance includes players from all 30 NHL Member Clubs and utilizes the League and Players’ Association’s full platform of marketing resources. The partnership focuses on the Top Shelf Teammates program, a division of the Garth Brooks Teammates For Kids Foundation, which contributes financial resources to non-profit organizations that benefit children’s health, education, and inner-city services. Since its inception, more than $1.5 million has been donated by NHL players. Players contribute a pre-determined sum based on selected on-ice performance categories such as goals scored or team wins. One of the most unique aspects of Teammates for Kids is that every dollar contributed is matched through an affiliation with Teammates for Kids donors and that 100% of donated money is distributed to children’s charities.
Witter’s Hitters
Islanders’ player Brendan Witt and his wife Salima are partnering with various local children’s hospitals on Long Island to bring children who are suffering from cancer and their families to a game. The Witt’s give these children the full hockey experience by purchasing them jerseys, sticks, and hats. After the game, the children are able to meet with different members of the team.
Suites for Charity sponsored by Bethpage Federal Credit Union
Bethpage Federal Credit Union is the presenting Sponsor of “Suites for Charity” and is donating select nights throughout the course of the season in a luxury suite to local charities around Long Island.
Rock and Wrap it Up!
The New York Islanders have joined the anti-poverty program Sports Wrap! To aide Long Island’s battle with hunger. The Sports Wrap! Program is part of the larger national anti0poverty organization Rock and Wrap it Up! Based on Long Island, which donates food that is prepared but not sold to trained volunteers who bring it to shelters throughout Long Island. Aramark, the official food partner of the Nassau Coliseum, is also a vital partner in this endeavor. The Islanders are the first NHL team to participate in this program.
Halloween Mask Raffle
During the month of October the Islanders team and their significant others create Halloween masks that are tailored to each player of the team and they are autographed. The masks are then raffled off during a game close to Halloween. All proceeds to the raffle go to the New York Islanders Children’s Foundation. This seasons mask raffle will be taking place on Saturday, October 27th.
Holiday Ornament Auction
During the month of December each member of the Islanders team create a Christmas ornament that is autographed and auctioned off. Team signed menorahs are also auctioned off during this event. All proceeds to the auction go to the New York Islanders Children’s Foundation. This seasons Holiday Auction will be taking place on Saturday, December 22nd.
Valentine’s Day Puck Surprise
During the month of February the Islanders hold a Valentine’s Day Puck Surprise. During this fundraising effort autographed pucks are wrapped up and sold on the concourse. All fans go home with an autographed puck. If you have a gold autograph on your puck you get an opportunity to meet that player. This seasons Valentine’s Day Puck Surprise will be taking place on Tues, February 12th.
New York Islanders Player Auction
During the season the Islanders will be hosting an online player auction. To be part of this unique experience fans are asked to bid online at NHL.com for the player that they would like to have dinner with. Proceeds to this auction go to the Islanders Children’s Foundation.
American Red Cross: Swim-A-Cross and Day Camp Program
The Islanders have partnered up with the American Red Cross of Nassau County for their Swim-A-Cross program as well as Day Camp Program. This is a program designed to raise money so that the American Red Cross can continue to help respond to disasters right here on Long Island. This years Swim-A-Cross is being held on Saturday, August 18th at Oyster Bay Harbor. To find out more information on how you can participate in this program visit
www.nassauredcross.org.
ZEBRA'S CARE
The National Hockey League Officials Association has launched "Zebra's Care" for the 2007-2008 NHL season. Zebra's Care was created to bring joy to children across North America and to grow the great game of hockey. This program provides the opportunity for underprivileged and sick children to meet many NHLOA members and to attend a National Hockey League game in person. During a game children are invited to meet the officials for the game, go on a backstage tour of the arena, and get to high five the players as they get onto the ice for the game.
