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NEW YORK ISLANDERS JOIN THE FIGHT TO PROTECT CHILDREN
Isles partner with National Center for Missing & Exploited
Children; Wang to match all fans’ contributions
UNIONDALE, NY (March 1, 2012) — The New York Islanders
are partnering with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
(NCMEC) for a special fundraising night Thursday, Mar. 29, 2012 when they
take on the Pittsburgh Penguins at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum at
7 p.m. To go along with the donations and support of Islanders fans and
all hockey fans in the area, Islanders Owner Charles Wang plans to personally
match the total donation from the evening.
“It’s terrible that this is even an issue we have to deal with
in our country, but it’s a big problem,” Wang said. “These
are our children we’re talking about. They’re our future. We
have to protect them as best we can. This is one of many steps we need to
take and I look forward to the rest of the NHL and professional sports communities
joining us in this fight.”
During the March 29 game, the Islanders will hold a variety of activities
inside the Coliseum to help raise awareness and money for NCMEC’s
mission of helping keep children safe. America’s Most Wanted Host
and Co-Founder of NCMEC, John Walsh will attend the game and drop the ceremonial
puck. “It’s an honor to have Charles Wang and the New York Islanders
on our side in the fight for children. It’s people and organizations
like this that really make a difference,” Walsh said.
During the game, the Chuck-A-Puck intermission contest will benefit NCMEC,
as will as a portion of the evening’s ticket sales and collection
tables that line the concourse. To generate added awareness, the giant center-ice
video board will feature safety tips and important video messages about
child safety throughout the evening.
“We all share a responsibility to help protect children, and it is
only by working together that we can give them the safer lives that they
deserve,” said Ernie Allen, President and CEO of NCMEC. “That
is why we are so grateful to Charles Wang and the New York Islanders for
sharing our commitment to child safety. Through their support and
the support of their fans we have an opportunity to make a real difference
in the lives of children.”
An estimated 800,000 children are reported missing each year – more
than 2,000 children every day. An estimated one in five girls and one in
10 boys are sexually victimized before age 18. Yet, only one in three will
tell anyone. Clearly, this is a growing issue that needs additional attention.
Led by Islanders owner Charles Wang, the organization recognizes that need
and is proud to become one of the first professional sports teams to join
this fight.
Islanders mascot, Sparky the Dragon, will be joined for the entire game
by, “Clicky” the spokesrobot from NCMEC’s educational
program, NetSmartz. The two characters will help staff members collect donations
and distribute information on the concourse.
About the National Center for Missing & Exploited
Children
The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children is a 501(c)(3)
nonprofit organization established in 1984. Designated by Congress
to serve as the nation’s clearinghouse, the organization has operated
the toll-free 24-hour national missing children’s hotline which has
handled more than 3,472,740 calls. It has assisted law enforcement
in the recovery of more than 169,840 children. The organization’s
CyberTipline has handled more than 1,374,020 reports of child sexual
exploitation and its Child Victim Identification Program has reviewed
and analyzed more than 65,455,790 child pornography images and videos. The
organization works in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Justice’s
office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. To learn more
about NCMEC, call its toll-free, 24-hour hotline at 1-800-THE-LOST or
visit its web site at www.missingkids.com.
About
the New York Islanders
Founded in 1972, and this season celebrating their 40-year anniversary,
the New York Islanders Hockey Club stands proudly as Long Island’s
sole major league professional sports franchise. Keep up with breaking
Islanders news on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NEWYORKISLANDERS and
on Twitter @NYIslanders. For further information on any individual/group
ticket options or sponsorship opportunities, contact the team’s
office at (516) 501-6700 or e-mail customerservice@newyorkislanders.com.
For more team information, log on to newyorkislanders.com.
---islanders.nhl.com---
Contacts
Kimber Auerbach (516) 501-6841 – kimber.auerbach@newyorkislanders.com
Katrina Doell (516) 501-6868 – katrina.doell@newyorkislanders.com
David Hochman (516) 501-6776 – david.hochman@newyorkislanders.com
NCMEC Media (703) 837-6111 – media@ncmec.org |
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