FHL Danbury Whalers - We Stand With Newtown

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Dear Danbury Whalers Fans and Members of the Community,

With great sorrow we watched the events of December 14th in Sandy Hook unfold. As each news story came in our hearts sank deeper and deeper.

To paraphrase President Barack Obama on his trip to Newtown on December 16th, “There are no words that we can offer to ease your sorrow or mend your broken hearts. Whatever portion of sadness that we can share with you to ease this heavy load, we will gladly bear it. Newtown – you are not alone.”

No words are truer.

As we prepare this weekend for Danbury Whalers Hockey, we have given many thoughts to how we can honor and acknowledge the victims, the families, and the heroes.

Perhaps Danbury Police Sergeant, John Krupinsky, also a member of the Danbury Whalers Hockey operations department, said it best. As John is a member of the Police Officers Benevolent Society, he often works with the families who have lost loved ones. John stated, “While honoring and acknowledging are appropriate, the families and the community are just looking for a place to feel good for a few hours.”

It is with those words that we proudly announce the following:

This Friday, December 21st @ 7:35 PM, the Danbury Whalers Hockey Club will take the ice against the Danville Dashers.

The Whalers will be wearing a special patch recognizing Newtown and Sandy Hook Elementary School. This patch will be worn throughout the remainder of the season.

As the team is introduced and lined up on the ice, Danbury Whalers Director of Fundraising, Tricia Coe will address the crowd on the team’s efforts and how you can get involved with our efforts. This will be followed by Danbury Whalers Director of Broadcasting, Nick Magoulas, a Newtown native, addressing the crowd.

Prior to the start of the National Anthem, we will ask our fans for a moment of silence in remembrance of those lost

At the 10 minute mark of the 2nd period, our regular point of Military Appreciation, will be switched to Stand with Newtown. We will ask all fans to rise and join in with, Newtown 8th grade teacher and Whalers season ticket holder Susan Lang, in the singing of God Bless America.

As we have seen over the years, Danbury Whalers fans are the most passionate giving special brand of individuals. Upon their requests we have also added the following:

Fans are asked to bring a stuffed teddy bear to the game. The Whalers will have collection baskets set up in the lobby which will then be dropped to the proper representatives in Newtown.

The Danbury Whalers will be donating a portion of the proceeds from the sale of Chuck a Pucks and the Webster Whale toss. In addition we will also have location at the merchandise stand in which fans can drop donations to the cause.

Upon completion of the game, the Danbury Whalers and Fan fund will be donated to the appropriate party and fund to help with the immediate expenses and costs to the families and the students.

As all have been asked to respect the family’s wishes of privacy, we ask that any of our fans directly connected to the families of Newtown and the students of Sandy Hook Elementary School please pass along the message of an invitation to our games this weekend. Simply call our office at 973-713-7547 or email to hsorcher@thedanburywhalers.com with your ticket requests.

For those not aware of our Danbury Whalers “Never Give Up” School Program, throughout the season, the Danbury Whalers players and staff visit over 20 area schools a year. We deliver a message to the kids of never giving up and living your dreams. The results we have achieved are beyond immeasurable and the smiles on the faces we have seen throughout the years are priceless.

When the time is right, one afternoon we plan on making a trip to visit the students of Sandy Hook Elementary School. As an organization we greatly look forward to that day.

As part of that program we will invite the entire school and their family’s to a Whalers game.

We would like to thank all of our fans and members of the Federal Hockey League for their support during this time.

[blackngold]

Class act by a stand-up organization.

For those unfamiliar, the Whalers are by far the closest hockey team to Netown, only about 15 minutes away.