THE VISION BECOMES REALITY FOR ED SNIDER

It all started with a vision. That vision was to bring “the greatest game ever invented” to underserved children in Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley.

The man with the vision was Ed Snider, an individual with a storied history of realizing his visions, most notably, the birth of the Philadelphia Flyers.

But Snider’s latest vision was a far cry from starting a professional hockey franchise and selling out arenas. In affording underserved children the opportunity to learn and play hockey, Snider hoped to expose these children to life-enhancing values such as teamwork, positive self-esteem, the importance of hard work and respect for themselves and teammates.

The vision to create such a league had been in Snider’s mind for several years. A charitable and passionate man, Snider was eternally grateful for the many ways that hockey had enriched his own life. Out of respect for the sport and the athletes that play it, Snider wanted to do something for those individuals who have not been exposed to the game of hockey. And thus, his vision continued to grow.

In the spring of 2005, a meeting was held with Snider and Mary Ann Saleski, Senior Vice President of the Comcast-Spectacor Foundation. During that meeting, Snider and Saleski discussed the means to make this vision a reality. Jim Britt, who was serving as General Manager of the Polonia Bank Flyers Skate Zone in Northeast Philadelphia, was brought in as Executive Director and together, action was taken. Snider and his colleagues developed the structure of the program, as well as the logistics. The next step was to have a meeting with representatives from the School District of Philadelphia. At this meeting, it was agreed that ice hockey would become a part of the school district’s physical education curriculum.

Throughout the summer of 2005, the plans continued to move forward. Snider and his team met with several hockey rinks in the community to discuss usage of their facilities. Now christened “The Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation,” the program was picking up steam and preparing for a Fall start date. And that’s exactly what happened.

The program began in the Fall of 2005 and was an immediate success with kids, parents and teachers. Kids, with no prior skating experience, soon learned how to maneuver themselves on the ice. Teachers and parents alike saw a definite improvement in the academic and behavioral performance of the students. There was no doubt about it, the program was a success thanks to the generosity of the skating rinks; initial donations from individuals, equipment manufacturers and others; the enthusiasm of the kids involved; and the countless hours of dedication, unconditional support, and tireless efforts of the many volunteers who helped make the program something truly special.

THE VISION BECAME A REALITY…AND THE REALITY WAS A SUCCESS.

Sunday, January 08, 2006