Quigley Teams Up with Blackhawks for Youth Hockey Clinic at St. Vincent de Paul Center
CHICAGO - Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05) joined Chicago Blackhawks forward Jimmy Hayes and members of the Blackhawks youth hockey staff for a hockey clinic at St. Vincent de Paul Center in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood. Quigley and the Blackhawks led neighborhood kids in hockey drills, team-building exercises, and scrimmages before announcing the donation of floor hockey equipment for permanent use at the center.
"It's important that we give kids of all backgrounds the opportunity to play sports and live an active lifestyle, especially as schools are forced to cut back physical education and athletic programs," said Rep. Quigley. "Hockey is for everyone, and I want to thank the Blackhawks and the St. Vincent de Paul Center for joining me to help promote the greatest game in the world."
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| Rep. Quigley (center) joins Blackhawks forward Jimmy Hayes |
"We are grateful for Congressman Quigley's continued involvement in Marillac St. Vincent Family Services and his commitment to children and those most in need in our shared communities," said St. Vincent de Paul CEO Bart Winters. "Having the Blackhawks visit our center in the midst of this exciting season means so much to our kids."
"Today was a great day. It's always fun to give back to the community and it's great that Congressman Quigley is involved to help these underprivileged kids and spread the sport of hockey around," said Blackhawks right winger Jimmy Hayes. "I hope the kids had enough fun to keep playing."
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| Rep. Quigley teaches puck handling to future Blackhawks |
Rep. Quigley began playing hockey when he was six years old and still plays regularly when he is back home in the District. He is a co-chair of the Congressional Hockey Caucus, a bipartisan group of Members of Congress dedicated to advocating for the expansion of hockey programs in America. An avid Chicago Blackhawks fan, he has worked with the team to expand access to floor hockey programs to youth at the Neighborhood Boys and Girls Club in Chicago and to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community through Center on Halsted.
As stewards of the Vincentian spirit, St. Vincent de Paul Center is committed to strengthening and empowering those most in need to reach their greatest potential. They fulfill their mission through quality child care and early childhood education, comprehensive services to isolated seniors and outreach to the homeless. For more information, please visit www.svdpc.org.
The Chicago Blackhawks, in conjunction with the National Hockey League, are proud sponsors of the StreetHawks hockey program, which partners with approximately 20 locations around Chicago to provide children ages six to sixteen the opportunity to participate in sneaker hockey in a safe, supervised and educational environment. The Blackhawks also host the MinorHawks Learn to Play program, which provides free equipment and inexpensive hockey lessons to children, ages four to eight. For more information, visit www.chicagoblackhawks.com/youthhockey.
High resolution photos are available upon request.
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