Walpole High School Boys Hockey hosted a 4 vs. 4 street hockey tournament on the tennis courts at Walpole High School on Sunday, Oct. 30. The event—open to third through eighth grade students—raised a total of $1,927 for the Tommy Quinn Scholarship Foundation. This foundation provides scholarship money for seniors in memory of former Walpole High student Tommy Quinn.
“I think [the fundraiser] went really well,” said senior hockey captain James Corcoran. “I was glad to see so many kids playing.”
Mary Mcglynn, President of the Hockey Boosters Club, worked alongside senior players, families and captains James Corcoran, Pat Donovan and Owen Hunter in an attempt to create an event that would be enjoyable for kids and parents in the community.
Thirteen teams, a total of eighty children, participated in the tournament. The event kicked off at 9 a.m. and championship games were played around 12:15 p.m. The event was well received by the children who came to play hockey with their peers.
“I thought [the tournament] was fun,” said Elm Street School fifth grader Kerin Birch. “My favorite part was checking the boys.”
Along with street hockey, the kids participated in a fastest shot competition. High school players from each grade were responsible for setting up, reffing games, coaching teams, running the fastest shot competition and cleaning up.
Many local business, including Dunkin Donuts, Stop n’ Shop Papa Gino’s and Lovell Sports donated items to contribute to the fundraiser. On top of the activities, there was a raffle for a signed Boston Bruins hockey stick.
“The stick was raffled off and donated back to the Quinn’s,” McGlynn said, “They [held] a large fundraiser on November 12.”
As for next year, the hockey program hopes to organize another street hockey tournament for charity and hopefully outdo this year’s success.
“This should be an annual event,” Donovan said. “The kids who organize it should choose a charity organization that means something to them.”
In addition to the Boys Hockey Team hosting the street hockey fundraiser, the families that run the scholarship foundation hosted a parent night that consisted of food, raffles, and games. The parent night is estimated to have raised over $20,000, according to the foundation members. Senior Melanie Weber volunteered at the parent night. “It was great to see so many Walpole families donating to help support this great cause,” said Weber.
