It was nonstop hockey and nonstop fun, all for a great cause.
The Tampa Warriors Hockey Club (TWHC) hosted its Hockey Heals 22 event at AdventHealth Center Ice beginning on June 10 and concluding on June 11.
The event entailed 22 hours of continuous hockey play to raise awareness and provide support to veteran suicide prevention.
The 22 hours of play was chosen deliberately to draw attention to the fact that since 2009, the average daily number of veteran suicides has stood at 22.
It is estimated the event raised about $15,000, more than $4,000 above last year’s inaugural event.
“It went fantastic — we’re just absolutely thrilled with how it went this year,” said Chris Scangarello, TWHC’s executive director.
“We had exponentially more media coverage, which helped get the word out … and we even made it on the Jumbotron for Game 6 (of the Eastern Conference Finals between the New York Rangers and the Tampa Bay Lightning at Amalie Arena on Saturday night).”
The event kicked off with a “grand” opening ceremony that Scangarello said “had the stands pretty packed.”
He acknowledged that the crowd did shrink in size during the early morning hours, but added there were still “plenty of loved ones out there supporting those playing hockey at 3 a.m.”
“The turnout was definitely fantastic,” he said.
TWHC has already donated some of the monies raised, including $2,500 to StopSoldierSuicide.org, and a couple of $500 and $300 scholarships to local students, who are dependents of servicemen and plan on working with veterans through social programs.
Scangarello said an event like this is important, not just because it raises money to help others, but also because it draws attention to the issue of veteran suicide.
The prevailing theory, Scangarello said, is that soldiers and veterans are meant to be strong, not show weakness. However, organizations, and even teams like TWHC, want to help change that perception and to support the notion that it’s OK to ask for help.
“We want to reduce that number from 22 a day. We want veterans to know they have a support network — to end that false stigma that (someone in the military) can’t be weak and can reach out for help,” he said.
He said he also hopes to attract more local charities and nonprofits that are dedicated to veterans and suicide prevention to get involved in next year’s Hockey Heals 22.
For more information on or how to donate to TWHC, visit TampaWarriors.com.
If you or a loved one are having suicidal thoughts, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-800-273-8255.
Published June 22, 2022
