Hiway Hockey Kids4Kids Scores Big!
Hiway Hockey Kids4Kids, an award-winning community initiative that encourages youth hockey players throughout Minnesota to raise funds for kids with disabilities and complex medical conditions, returned for a fourth season after the program was paused in 2020-21 due to COVID. The innovative program is a collaboration between Hiway, the Minnesota Wild, Wild Alternate Captain Matt Dumba, Minnesota Hockey and Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare in Saint Paul. Since the program’s inception, dozens of teams and hundreds of youth hockey players have raised over $110,000 for Gillette Children’s. Over $35,000 was raised for Gillette this past season.
Hiway Hockey Kids4Kids inspires youth hockey teams to community service by encouraging them to develop creative fundraisers on behalf of Gillette Children’s and help kids who may not be able to play hockey due to complex medical conditions or injuries. Teams that raise $500 qualify to win a one-of-a-kind team party in a suite at a Minnesota Wild game. The winning team, selected at random, engages in an exclusive post-game video chat with members of the Minnesota Wild and receives merchandise from the Wild and Hiway. All teams that participate in the program are invited to complimentary skate sessions at the Xcel Energy Center. Each member of any team that raises at least $500 receives a limited-edition Minnesota Wild-Hockey Kids4Kids branded cap.
“Serving our community and helping others can start at an early age,” says Hiway President and CEO Dave Boden. “Volunteering helps athletes understand the power and joy of community service. Hiway is thrilled to have young teammates across the state helping us support the great work being done for kids at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare.”
“The Hiway Hockey Kids4Kids Program is an awesome initiative,” said Matt Majka, President of the Minnesota Wild. “We are excited to continue to support this program and encourage all youth hockey teams to participate and help build a greater state of hockey.”
“Gillette Children’s is deeply grateful for the ongoing partnership with Hiway Credit Union, the Minnesota Wild, Matt Dumba, Minnesota Hockey and young hockey players across Minnesota through Hiway Hockey Kids4Kids.” said Barbara Joers, President and CEO of Gillette Children’s. “Their generosity through this incredible program provides vital support so we can continue to advocate and care for children from across Minnesota and around the world.”
