Dear Editor,
I wanted to take this opportunity to thank everyone who came out to support the Pittston Area ice hockey team at its annual Blue/Gold Benefit Ice Hockey Game against Wyoming Area. The event is alternately hosted by the teams each year at Revolution Ice Center. It is not only a long-time rivalry, but also a night of coming together in support of a good cause.
The recipients of this year’s fundraiser ecipients were brothers Christopher Gentner (9th grade) and Aidan Wardell(6th grade), two Pittston Area students who suffer from a form of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and are confined to powerchairs. Our hope is to assist the family in reaching its goal of purchasing a van that can accommodate both powerchairs. Now, they can transport only one boy at a time, which was evident the night of the game when separate trips needed to be made back and forth to transport the boys to and from the game.
The PA/WA rivalry is just as strong on the ice as it is in all other sports in the districts. This is evident by the number of fans in attendance showing support for their school. It was a hard fought game full of music, school spirit and cheers for a favorite team, ending with a 7-4 victory for WA.
However, the teams left that rivalry on the ice. They came together for the rest of the evening – players, parents, and community – in support of the recipients of our game. Support was shown through basket raffles, a bake sale and a 50/50 raffle.
Though they play as rivals for their high schools, the players have played for other teams and often traveled together for many years as teammates. Both players and parents often spend much time together at various rinks and even in hotels, becoming a hockey community. Thus, it seemed fitting, on a night so full of PA/WA school spirit, to begin by honoring seniors and their parents from both teams together on the ice, designating it both teams’ senior/ parent nights, after which representatives from both teams assisted the boys in dropping the first puck.
The outpouring of donations and support from the community and parents from both sides was overwhelming. As Pittston Area, we hosted and organized the event this year. However, there was no lack of donations from Wyoming Area in the areas of goodies, gift baskets, etc. to which we are grateful.
There are so many people who have helped make the event possible – too many to name and I would not want to miss anyone. Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard and gave so much through their time, money and various donations.
It was wonderful to see the Frushon family again. Joey was the beneficiary of the game two years ago, when we last hosted. What a wonderful night full of high school rivalry as well as friendship and camaraderie – all for such a great cause!
Pittston Area Ice Hockey Parents
