Community Corner

Special Hockey Connects Kids On and Off the Ice

Patch brings you an update on a special needs hockey team in Montgomery County.

"Every once in a while as a parent, I get to experience something so powerful that it humbles me to my core," Wheaton mom Jean Winegardner wrote last March in her White Knuckle Parenting column on Patch.

Winegardner shared with readers the magical experience of watching her son Jack play in a special hockey tournament in New York. Special hockey is hockey for kids and adults with developmental disabilities.

Later this week, Winegardner and her son are going to Lake Placid, New York, for another tournament with the Cheetahs.

Find out what's happening in Wheatonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Winegardner has this update for Patch readers:

"It will be really exciting to see Jack and his team play in a former Olympic town, especially one that was home to the famous 1980 Miracle on Ice game. He goes to practice every week with his team, which has grown so much over the past couple of years. It is really cool to see all these kids connecting both on the ice and off. It is one of my favorite parts of every week." 

Find out what's happening in Wheatonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Winegardner has high praise for the Cheetahs: "It is such a great organization and it has brought such a diverse and supportive group of kids and parents together to create a wonderful special needs community." 

How you can support the Cheetahs

The team has their major fundraiser—the Cheetah-thon—coming up on May 11 from 5-7 p.m. Anyone can come by and skate with the Cheetahs and their mentors. More details on the fundraiser and information for how to donate is available at this website:  http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/mberger/2ndannualcheetah-thon


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