NHL officials have long-supported kids all across North America through their Zebras Care Foundation.  This season, they’ll be spending time with the children of military personnel prior to games in Minnesota, in partnership with the Minnesota Military Family Assistance Center.

From the Minnesota Wild:

The Zebras Care program is back! Once a month, October through March, this program will provide an opportunity for a child of active duty or deployed service people to enjoy a Minnesota Wild game and a pre-game meet and greet with the NHL officials.

The NHL’s Zebras Care Foundation was started in 2007 to help provide kids in need with a chance to meet with National Hockey League officials prior to games.

They’ve since expanded to include other opportunities to connect with – and support – the community. From the NHLOA:

In our quest to bring joy to children across North America and to grow the great game of hockey, the Zebras Care charity was formed in the hopes of providing the opportunity for underprivileged and sick children to visit with many of our NHLOA members and to attend a National Hockey League game in person.

Since its creation in 2007, hundreds of kids have now enjoyed the pre-game officials dressing room visits where they got to meet the game’s on-ice officials and spend some quality time with them. From asking all their rule’s questions or general hockey questions, learning the behind the scenes preparation that the officials go through every game, having the chance to step on the ice in some cases (some lucky kids even got the chance to sit in the penalty box), these visits are always a great moment for both the kids and the officials.

In addition to the pre-game dressing room visits, NHLOA members have also been part of hospitals visits. In 2009, The Zebras Care Foundation was proud to be a sponsor of the Infusion Centre at the Buffalo Women’s and Children’s Hospital. The Infusion Centre is a room where children go to receive many types of infusions, ranging from blood dialysis to chemo treatments. These treatments can last anywhere from one to eight hours. Zebras Care, with help from singer and NHLOA friend John McDerrmott, purchased individual gaming systems for the centre which are used by the children during their treatments. More recently, we supplied several iPads to the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre, located in Calgary, Alberta. This innovative centre offers hope, help and healing to children, youth and families impacted by child abuse.

Here’s a look at a recent Zebras Care visit in Nashville.

 

 

Thanks to the NHL and the NHL Officials for their ongoing support of hockey fans in need.