For Immediate Release

Monday, April 2, 2018

Contact: Benjamin Paulin
Phone: 781-742-3922
Email: ben@jgpr.net

Waltham Charity Hockey Game Raises $25,000 to Assist Pediatric Cancer Patients

Waltham Firefighters vs Police Charity Hockey Game Had Over 500 in Attendance

WALTHAM – Waltham Firefighters Local 866 President Steve Centofanti is pleased to announced that the Waltham Firefighters vs Police Charity Hockey Game raised more than $25,000 on Saturday, March 24.

The event was held at the Bentley Arena in Waltham and saw more than 500 guests attend the game and take part in on-ice activities. The police team won the game 4-3 in overtime.

A total of $25,940 was raised during the event and proceeds will benefit the non-profit organization One Mission. The charity group helps support children with cancer and their families. Since 2009, the Westborough-based non-profit has raised more than $8.8 million dollars and has assisted over 8,000 kids fighting cancer and their loved ones.

A highlight of the evening took place before the game, as three local pediatric cancer patients dropped pucks at the center of the ice prior to the singing of the National Anthem.

Johnny Morris, Colt Jackson and John O’Connor each suffer from different forms of pediatric cancer. Jackson is the son of Waltham Fire Lieutenant Gary Jackson; O’Connor is the son of Waltham Police Officer John O’Connor; and Morris is the
son of Newton firefighter John Morris.

The money raised at the event will go toward helping kids like Morris, Jackson and O’Connor.

The event was organized by brothers Steve Hopkins and Don Hopkins, along with Chuck Vinciulla, all Waltham firefighters.

The daylong event kicked off with two youth hockey clinics taught by Boston Bruins Alumni.

After the clinics, a Family Fun Skate session was held and children and parents took to the ice to skate around while a DJ played music.

The main event was the hockey game between teams made up of Waltham’s firefighters and police officers.

“While I wish the firefighters had won the game, everyone was a winner that night as we were able to continue towards our goal of raising $100,000 to donate to One Mission,” said Firefighter Don Hopkins. “So far we have over $50,000 raised and will continue to raise money until we reach our goal. This event was amazing and we want to sincerely thank all of those who attended and donated.”

The brothers are helping to organize another fundraising event that will be held on April 28. Craft Beer Night will be held at Craft Food Hall Project, 900 Chelmsford St., Lowell, where beer and food will be served from 5-9 p.m. Space in the bar is being donated by Waltham resident Doug Ferriman, who is the owner.

The Waltham firefighters hockey team will also compete in the Heroes Cup hockey tournament in Marlborough on April 20-22. Firefighters, police officers, EMS and paramedics and military members will play in the tournament featuring 82 teams from 27 states. All of the money raised during the weekend-long event will go towards various charities, including One Mission.

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