Community Benefit Hockey Game
by Jen Shenk
Content Supplied by: Dave Napolitano, Dave Uminski and Jason Wetherbee
The 9th Annual Ashburnham-Westminster Community Benefit Hockey Game has been scheduled for Saturday, April 3, 2010 at 5pm in the Iorio Arena on the campus of Cushing Academy in Ashburnham.
The Ashburnham-Westminster Community Benefit Hockey Game is a great community event that is held each spring. There's entertainment, local talent, sports celebrities and a fun and exciting hockey game between the Ash-West Teachers and Local Law Enforcement teams. It's a fun afternoon for a great cause, with all of the proceeds going to the family chosen each year. Juggler Spencer Hearne, just 15 years old, will again this year wow the crowd with his impressive display that had the crowd speechless last year. There will also be performances by Police Pipes and Drums of Worcester and local Figure Skaters sanctioned by the U.S.F.S.A. 29645 as well as an appearance by Finz of the Worcester Sharks Hockey Team. Hockey legend Ray Bourque (pictured above) will sign autographs at 4pm ($10 donation, limited to the first 200 people). 
There are prizes, a Chuck-A-Puck contest, giveaways, a silent auction with over 100 great prizes consisting of autographed sports memorabilia, gift certificates for local products and services and so much more! If you're looking for a feel-good family event in our community, this is it. As usual, the Law Enforcement team will be helped by former Olympian and NHL great Scott Young (right). Former Olympian and NHL player Ted Crowley and former Cushing player and Olympian Courtney Kennedy will also be playing. Check out Spencer Hearne's incredible juggling performance from the 2009 Ashburnham-Westminster Community Benefit Hockey Game--at that point he had been juggling for just two years!
According to Oakmont alumni and current Ashburnham resident Tim Driscoll, "the Ashburnham-Westminster Community Benefit Hockey Game was created by Dave Napolitano and his wife Betsy for the benefit of my son Jason who was just was 7 years old at the time. Seeing the success of the game and the outpouring of support from people in the community, they decided to do it every year for the family of a local child. I was working at Cushing Academy at the time and they donated the ice and arena and still do every year. It's a great show of support from Cushing. It is really unbelievable all the volunteers, hockey players, town departments and businesses that rally to support the game, as well as all of the people who show up to watch and take part in the raffles. We do what we can every year to help out before, during after the game."
This year’s game will benefit Corey McGrath. Corey is a fifth grade student at Westminster Elementary School. He was recently hospitalized after suffering a brain aneurysm while on the playground at the school. The aneurism was a result of arterial venous malfunction (AVM). He has undergone one surgery and is facing the possibility of another surgery and a long rehabilitation. His medical situation has caused a great financial hardship for him and his single mother. Corey is an avid basketball player, baseball and football player. He also enjoys video games and collecting coins and old money. Please set aside the date and plan to attend. This is always a fun community-building event that directly benefits a local family. If you're on Facebook, become a fan of the group Ashburnham-Westminster Community Benefit Hockey Game.
TEACHERS - "The Green Team"
Tony Gleason (Overlook Middle School Teacher), Peter Romano (Overlook Middle School Teacher), Rob Gagnon (Head Hockey Coach at Cushing Academy), Mark Nevard (Oakmont Teacher), Bill Troy (Cushing Academy), Brian Sargent (Oakmont Teacher and Administrator), David Uminski (Oakmont Administrator), Joe Pandiscio (Joseph’s Bistro).
LAW ENFORCEMENT - "The Blue Team"
Michael Myers (Worcester Sharks Director of Youth Hockey and Community Relations), Jason Wetherbee (Westminster Police Officer), David Napolitano (Massachusetts State Police), Ryan Carney (Corrections Officer), John Boucher (Ashburnham Police Officer), Scott Young (NHL/Olympian)
Money is raised through the sale of game tickets, raffle tickets, cash donations, concessions and a Chinese auction the night of the game. If you or your business would like to make a donation of a high quality Chinese Auction item and/or cash donations, please send them to David Uminski at Oakmont (9 Oakmont Dr. Ashburnham, MA 01430). Please note that this game sells out so get your tickets soon at Oakmont Regional High School, Westminster Police Department, Westminster Elementary School and Ashburnham Wine and Spirits. Please make checks payable to the Ashburnham-Westminster Community Benefit.
This year there is also a post-game reception with Ray Bourque and Scott Young at the Colonial Hotel that includes an Italian Buffet, Entertainment and autographed photo with the stars at a cost of $25 per person donation. Email or call David Uminski at Oakmont for tickets at (978) 827-5907 x2157.
Prices are as follows:
$5 for game tickets
$5 Cash raffle
$1 Chinese Auction raffle
$1 for the Chuck-A-Puck contest
$10 donation for Bourque autograph
$25 for post game reception
The 2010 Ashburnham-Westminster
Community Benefit Hockey Game
is sponsored by:
Ashburnham Wine and Spirits
Colonial Hotel of Gardner
Cushing Academy
Joseph's Bistro and Pub
MTC Printing
NEPA (Northeast Promotion and Apparel)
Staples