The Islanders players, coaches, and staff give their spare time to various charitable events and fundraising efforts throughout the course of the season.
Hospital VisitsEach year the New York Islanders visit pediatric units at local hospitals during the month of December as well as throughout the course of the Islanders season to spread some 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.
Click here to see pictures from the Holiday Hospital Visit .
Food DrivesEach season the Islanders hold a food drive 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 food drive.
Coat DrivesEach Season the Islanders hold clothing drives. Through these drives clothes and jackets are collected and given to the less fortunate. This season the Islanders partner with Big Brothers Big Sisters for a clothing drive and a jacket drive.
Toy Drives Each season the Islanders hold toy drives throughout the month of December to collect toys for the less fortunate. 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 teamed up the John Theissen Foundation for a toy drive.
Each season the Islanders hold toy drives throughout the month of December to collect toys for the less fortunate. 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 the John Theissen Foundation for a toy drive prior to the December 19th game.
Witter’s HittersIslanders’ 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.
Teammates for Kids: Garth Brooks FoundationIn 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. This past season the Islanders Children’s Foundation received a check in the amount of $16,000 from the generous contribution of current Islanders players.
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 anti-poverty 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. Savor, 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.
Zebra’s CareThe National Hockey League Officials Association launched “Zebra’s Care” during the 2007-2008 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.
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 Relations Department.
Hockey Fights CancerHockey Fights Cancer is a joint charitable initiative founded in December 1998 by the National Hockey League, the NHL Players' Association and is supported by the NHL member clubs. The Islanders know that Long Islanders are deeply affected by this illness and will work to raise awareness and funding for this cause.
Halloween Mask RaffleDuring 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.
Holiday Ornament AuctionDuring 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.
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.
Throughout the course of the season the Islanders players pick a game and auction off the sticks that they used during that game. Winners of this auction actually get to receive the game used sticks right out of the hands of their favorite New York Islanders player as they get off the ice. Make sure to look back to find out what 2009-2010 game this will be held.
Sticks and Steaks Dinner
All fans are given the opportunity to have dinner with their favorite Islanders player during an exclusive event with all proceedings benefiting the ICF. Make sure to look back in January to place your bids.
Jerseys Off the Back
All fans are given the opportunity to win the jersey off the back of their favorite Islanders player at the end of the season. Make sure to check back in March to start placing bids.
Bowl-A-Thon
The Islanders held a Bowl-A-Thon in January benefiting the Lady Islanders Hockey Program. More than $10,000 was raised.
Click here to view photo gallery.
