HOCKEY FOR A CAUSE
Annual charity tournament helps children’s charities in Capital Region
TROY >> Local players hit the ice last week to compete in an annual hockey tournament all about helping children.
The seventh annual Capital Cup for Kids, a weeklong adult hockey competition held at the Knickerbacker Ice Arena in Troy, wrapped up on Sunday afternoon when two area teams took the top spots in their divisions.
But more important than the trophy was the reason all 16 teams participated in the tournament: to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region, which provides comfort, support and respite for families of seriously ill children in a compassionate, home-like environment.
Since 1982, more than 17,000 families have made nearly 20,000 visits to the Albany Ronald McDonald House. This year, 10,000 individuals will benefit from our Ronald McDonald House, our Ronald McDonald House Family Room and Family Suite at Albany Medical Center and kids will be provided with comprehensive dental care through the Ronald McDonald House Care Mobile program operated in partnership with St. Peter’s Health Care Services.
Consequently, event organizers decided that 100 percent of the funds raised at the 2016 Capital Cup for Kids will go to into the Ronald McDonald House Families First Fund. This fund is dedicated to providing direct support to the children
"For Ronald McDonald House to have 250 people out there advocating for us, selling $5 raffle tickets or getting a couple hundred dollars for a sponsorship - it really spreads the word" — Jeffrey Yule, local Ronald McDonald House Charities executive director
and families that utilize the services of the organization, in ways such as helping them purchase or repair a vehicle or covering rent while their family member is sick. “Those families we invest a little more in and it makes the house run smoother,” said local Ronald McDonald House Charities executive director Jeffrey Yule, “and it just is the right thing to do because we have the resources to do it.”
To make it even more personal, each competing hockey team was assigned a past or current Ronald McDonald House child to serve as their honorary captain, which increases incentive in the fundraising efforts, and reminds players why they are involved by connecting them to a single child.
“For Ronald McDonald House to have 250 people out there advocating for us, selling $5 raffle tickets or getting a couple hundred dollars for a sponsorship - it really spreads the word,” Yule said.
On Saturday, the majority of the honorary captains and their families came to see the Capital Cup for Kids and meet the players fundraising for people like them. Some teams make jerseys for the children or make special efforts to provide them with a little something extra
that they’ll enjoy.
Now in its seventh year, the Capital Cup for Kids began in 2010 with just four local teams and has since expanded to 16 teams and about 250 players.
This year’s tournament, which began last Monday, featured a 10-team B division and a six-team Masters division for those 50 years of age and older. All teams were Capital Region-based, hailing from Albany, Troy, Bethlehem and Scotia.
The Capital Cup for
Kids tournament prides itself in good, clean play and fun as well as a true commitment to supporting the Ronald McDonald House.
Between players, families, friends and co-workers this year’s event was on track Sunday to raise $90,000, reaching a total of $307,000 since the fundraiser’s inception.
For more information or to donate to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region visit www.rmhcofalbany.org.