Youth Hockey FUNdraising

The Peaks and Pitfalls of Fundraising

Big on dreams. Short on cash. Isn’t that the case every hockey season? The challenge is to find fundraisers that are big on cash and short on stress. The season is stressful enough, you certainly don’t want to be the source of duck and cover syndrome with family and friends. They see you coming and yell, “Duck everyone and cover your wallet!” I was grateful the year our team abandoned product hawking in favor of team fundraising projects. We packed restaurants that would give us a slice of their profits on our designated night. It’s was one less meal to cook and another chance to get to know everyone outside of the rink. We also made hundreds by teaming up to sell pucks for fans to chuck at a Syracuse Crunch Hockey game. Our neighborhood bottle and can drive was a huge success with a $700.00 profit! Our roundup of returnables was hard work, but it also rewarded teamwork. Finding the right team fundraisers can set the right tone for your kids, and allow parents to find common ground. Early bonding can go a long way during a long, cold season. So, the next time your team asks you to help out with fund raising, keep in mind, you can gain a lot more than money when you work together for a common goal.

                                                      BOTTLE AND CAN DRIVES

*Promote the drive- Send out flyers with information about your drive and also a phone number. People may call and offer to drop their cans and bottles off at your Redemption Center. *Pick a good time Timing is everything. Our team leader picked the Sunday after Thanksgiving. Neighbors were eager to rid their garages of emptied containers after their Thanksgiving feasts; they were in a generous spirit as well. *Divide kids up with different age groups or different positions so they get to know other players *Wear team jerseys or T-shirts with logo- It legitimizes the operation and reinforces the team concept for the kids. *Coach should speak- Hit all the important rules about safety and good manners. *Find a kind and willing Redemption Center-that will let you set up an account for your team so folks can donate year-round.

OTHER TEAM FUNDRAISING STRATEGIES:
Have a Gala for the parents of your hockey players. You can raise money by selling tickets, solicit door prizes or prizes for silent auctions from parents or local businesses. How is your team raising money?
 
  Share your ideas on our The Puck Hog Facebook fan page and be eligible to win an autographed copy of The Puck Hog!

Raise Big Bucks with Chuck A Puck!

                                               THE CHUCK A PUCK ADVANTAGE
     
     Searching for the right team fundraiser, that is hopefully fun and not too taxing, can be taxing enough.  Since my son started playing hockey, our teams have sold... let's see if I can remember them all...okay...here goes; candles, wreaths,  pies, chocolate bars,  jewelry, raffle tickets, flowers, frames, stickers and entertainment books.  We've cooked, baked and crafted.  Plus,  how many of you have repeatedly raided friends and relatives' garages for their bottles and cans?  Didn't round up enough?  Then, you round up the team to make rounds in the neighborhoods and hope the soccer and football teams didn't beat you to the doorsteps.  I know I'm missing a few money raising tactics.  After all these years of hawking,  it's now all a blur.
      We've already done several fundraisers for my daughter's team this year.  Something every team has to do if you want to ease the burden of tournament costs, trophies, and treats.  We did okay with our bake good and food sale at a recent tournament at our rink.  It brought us a couple of hundred dollars closer to our goal. That was worth our time and effort.  As for our Subway sales day?  Not so much.  Great concept. Tell folks lined up at the cash register to mention the team and we get a credit to be turned into cash. Unfortunately folks who were hungry for a sub, just weren't biting.
    The most successful so far this season, and every season for that matter,  has been Chuck A Puck with the Syracuse Crunch.  Last Saturday, our kids suited up in jerseys. Good hearted Crunch fans, who walked by our wide-eyed adorable little hockey players,  couldn't resist their charm and smiles.  $1.00 a puck, 3 bucks for 5 with a chance to win a Tully's gift card.  The Crunch made it easy for us.  They supplied all the soft numbered pucks for fans to toss onto the ice when given the cue, plus the sheets to keep track of puck purchasers. The kids used several different strategies to sell and convince folks to support youth hockey. They were so good, some people handed them money and wanted nothing in return.  The defenseman, forwards and goalie turned out to be a good team of salesman and great representatives of our hockey organization.   At the end of the night, we all had smiles on our faces with a good amount raised and good memories for our kids.  Thank you Syracuse Crunch! I would pick this fundraiser, over picking up bottles and cans any season!   This hockey mom gives Chuck A Puck, an A+ !  

The Cutest Kindergarten Kids

 
    Why do you wear all that stuff when you play hockey?  How old were you when you started playing?  Do you get scared when you fall?  Do you have any other girls on your team?  The curious little kindergarten kids at the Syracuse Academy of Science had an abundance of questions for my 10 year old hockey player.  Sophia was eager to share her knowledge, and talk about her experiences which shaped the story of The Puck Hog. 
   We had to laugh when we pulled out the knee hockey sticks and asked for two volunteers to demonstrate a tape to tape pass.  When I handed the stick to the little girl we had chosen, she asked, " What do I do with this? " No clue how to hold it.  No clue, really, what it was.  Sophia showed her how to hold the stick and handle the puck, and to our amazement, the demure little lady, whacked that puck clear across the room! Bam!
   Most of the kids weren't familiar with the terms, the game, or the ice.  But they got the message.  Even at the tender age of five, they've had dealings with selfish Eddie types, who only think of themselves. On the playground, in the classroom and in their neighborhoods. When asked for examples of what they could do to be good team players, the answers came, rapid fire.  Pick up papers on the ground, say something nice to someone having a bad day, be quiet for the teacher.  One little girl raised her hand, begging me to call on her.  "I know!  I know!"
   "Great, " I said, " Let's hear!"
She smiled from ear to ear, and stood up to proudly say.....drumroll please.... "All you got to do, is ....PASS THE PUCK!"