Today 1 in 68 children (1 in 42 boys and 1 in 189 girls) is diagnosed as having autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Behind each of these numbers is a person, and family, living with autism, a future that we can change with your help!
The Great Woods/Xfinity Center has provided a beautiful backdrop for the Autism Speaks Annual Walk as over 700 players and family members descended to Mansfield, MA for the event last year.
The Islanders “sea of orange” participates in the annual walk as one of the many activities reflecting the Islanders education and charitable initiatives. Over the past 3 years, the Islanders have raised over $250,000 to support research and programs that are changing the future for those who struggle with autism. Our goal is raise $1,000,000 for Autism.
We ask that you join us this year!
2016 WALK NOW FOR AUTISM SPEAKS
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2016
XFINITY CENTER
885 S. MAIN STREET , MANSFIELD, MA 02049
North Andover, MA – The players of the Islanders Hockey Club Premier Team selected John McLean, Jr the recipient of the 2016 Avalanna Routh Memorial Award. The award is in memory of Avalanna Routh who passed away on September 26, 2012 at the age of six from AT/RT. The following link tells of her story and shows why she captured the hearts of millions including GM/Head Coach Sean Tremblay.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYRaPMcyL_g
In 2014 former assistant coach Matt King and his family raised some money through a pond hockey tournament and created the Avalanna Routh Memorial Award and donated the trophy that stays in the Gallant Arena all year long. Each year Matt, Holly, Cam, Dylan, and Jordan King drive down from Maine to present the award.
The award is the only individual honor given by the IHC and goes to the player who best exemplifies what it means to be an Islander. Each year the team is involved in volunteering time and raising funds to local charitable events including Cure AT/RT and Autism Speaks. All players also spend time with youth teams each week during the season as well as helping with the mite development program. The challenge to the players is to live life the way Av lived, touch other people in a positive way and make life better for those around you. John went above and beyond the call of duty and is very deserving of this prestigious honor.
Avalanna Routh Memorial Award Winners
2016 – John McLean, Jr
2015 – Maximilian Daigle
2014 – Aaron Titcomb
For the third consecutive year, the Islanders Hockey Club of North Andover, MA has delivered a significant donation to Autism Speaks. On Sunday before the Merrimack College hockey game, NE Chapter Board Chairman Larry Cancro along with community leader Terri Farrell and her son, Conor, accepted a check for $100,475 from Richard Gallant and Leigh Dean of the Islanders Hockey Club. This donation raises the group’s fundraising total to $250,475 over the last three years! The Islanders’ commitment goes beyond raising huge dollars as they have hundreds of their players and parents attend the Greater Boston walk each fall. Check out the picture of the check presentation attached and the Thank You Islanders Hockey Club! Video.
On Sunday September 8th, the Islanders will once again walk for Avalanna Routh. The link below is information about the walk and how to donate. https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1048920&supId=364278551 On September 9, 2012, the Islanders took part in the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk. The Islanders walked and raised funds that day as members of Avalanna’s Angels. The group was inspired by six year old Avalanna Routh (Merrimac, Mass.), who was battling Atypical teratoid rhabdoid tumor, a rare form of brain cancer referred to as AT/RT. It can be diagnosed in three per one million children each year. Avalanna gained international notoriety when she was a patient at Massachusetts General Hospital. She, with the help of the nursing staff, “married” her favorite singer, pop music superstar Justin Bieber, during a mock wedding ceremony which included a cardboard cut out of the crooner. Bieber, soon after, visited Avalanna at the hospital to meet “Mrs. Bieber.” This is one a several events the Islanders Hockey Club will participate in this season. All teams – youth and junior – will be walking for Autism at Suffolk Downs on October 6th.