Overview
Skating Strides is a unique fundraising and awareness program for hockey teams of all levels. Rinks all over Massachusetts, from the Big East Conference teams to Learn to Play youth programs, are turning Pink for Ellie Fund. Teams make it their own with pink jerseys, chuck-a-puck fundraisers, specialty merch, and so much more! Skating Strides gives student athletes the opportunity to give back to the community and honor those who have been impacted by breast cancer.
How to Participate
Skating Strides is flexible to fit the fundraising ideas, goals, and capabilities of our partners. The majority of Skating Strides games are hosted in place between January-February. Some teams choose October as a way to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness Month. To learn more or register your event, contact Sarah Burke at sarah@elliefund.org.
Example Skating Stride Activities include:
- 50/50 Raffles
- Chuck-a-Puck between period promotions
- Wearing pink/breast cancer-themed jerseys, and auctioning them off post-game
- Donating a portion of ticket sales for a designated game
- Selling pink paper skates/pucks and/or “I Play in Honor/Memory of _____” signs, which are placed around the arena leading up to designated Skating Strides game
- “Pink the Rink” by dying the ice pink and/or distributing pink-colored promotional giveaways (including pom poms, cow bells, tee shirts, rally towels, etc.)
- Player testimonials on videoboard pre-game/between periods, describing who they are playing for/why they support the Ellie Fund
- Hosting a youth hockey clinic and donating the proceeds
- Colleges/prep schools only: “Storm the Dorm” campaign, where student-athletes went dorm to dorm collecting loose change from their classmates
How We Support
- Personalized donation pages
- Ellie Fund Signage with donation codes
- Social Media Promotion
- “Meet Ellie” cards and flyers
- Ellie Fund bracelets
- Ellie Fund Staff Speaker (if available)
- Table with Ellie Fund Materials (if available)
Partners & Participants
Colleges & Universities
- Boston University
- Merrimack
- Northeastern University
- Umass Amherst
High Schools
- Belmont High School
- East Boston High School
- Hingham High School
- Lawrence Academy
- North Reading Memorial
Professional Sports Teams
- Worcester Railers
