All-Stars Hockey Help Gear Drive

YOU CAN BE AN ALL-STAR BY
HELPING HOCKEY PLAYERS IN NEED

CLEAN OUT YOUR GARAGE OF USED
HOCKEY GEAR AND HELP SOME KIDS

Why not do some spring cleaning and clean out your garage of old, no longer used hockey gear and help us to grow our sport? The IHF invites your support of this valuable program by donating your hockey gear (roller or ice, for kids or adults) to the community roller hockey program of Chula Vista, CA operated by Jerry Nestlerode of San Diego's CIF Metropolitan High School Roller Hockey League*. Jerry and his volunteers will be present on Saturday at the rink gates and grateful for your hockey gear donations to help the under privileged children of this community continue their participation in our sport.

Jerry, a 15 year hockey player veteran who also has a Masters degree in Athletic Directorship, conducts his roller hockey programs at the outdoor, lighted rink built at Castle Park High School in Chula Vista, part of Sweetwater School District. In addition to hosting district prep teams, the rink is also available to youth development leagues and learn-to-skate programs tapping into the popularity of extreme sports in this community.

"It’s the first such facility on a high school campus in San Diego County and it’s one more way Sweetwater is keeping kids connected to school," said Sweetwater District Superintendent Dr. Ed Brand. (groundbreaking picture)

"To participate on a roller hockey team, the players have to maintain minimum grade point averages," Dr. Brand said. "When kids are involved in co-curricular activities, they stay in school, they study harder to maintain their grades and they feel connected to the school."

Jerry in stripes at the rink with the new kids (click to enlarge)

Jerry's outreach programs serves the needs of an emerging group of kids, student-athletes and adults alike who view roller hockey as a fast-moving alternative to soccer. Through his efforts he's creating a new hub for the community and it's working. They're anxious to play roller hockey, stay fit and compete.

As more kids can be equipped with in-line skates and protective gear, this expanding group of roller hockey players see this as the wave of the future. Your help in keeping up that momentum is truly and greatly appreciated!

More Information
If you have any questions about this program or want to learn more about how you can help, please contact our hockey gear donation program chairperson, Chris Dunbar of the Tesoro Titans Roller Hockey Club at TesoroHockey@cox.net

Read Jerry's letter to us:

Please receive this as a simple request which may go a long way in helping with the development and popularity of our sport. I will keep it short and to the point.

As many of you know, I am very involved in developing and giving new hockey players an opportunity to play the sport we are all so heavily involved with. The area I serve (Chula Vista - the southern most point of San Diego County) is a region where hockey maybe able to blossom with a few outdoor rinks, but is limited in exposure (which I am working on) and economic advantages (which is where you maybe able to help).

I am not looking for any monetary donations, but I am looking for used hockey equipment which may help give kids a start in playing the sport of hockey. Many of the kids I am introducing to the sport are very interested and excited about playing hockey, but do not have the means to purchase their own equipment. You all know that hockey equipment can escalate into the hundreds of dollars which usually leads to kids moving on to soccer, basketball, or something else less expensive.

My simple request is this: If perchance, you have used (or new) equipment you are willing to part with, it would go a long way in helping our community and possibly introducing our sport to someone which may change their life for the better. I think you all know what I am talking about; (old grown out of equipment, equipment taking up space in the garage, semi-broken equipment which is missing a screw, bolt, nut, or cage which can be easily fixed, basically anything you are willing to part with). I will drive to any location of your preference (residence, rink, wherever) to pick up these unused but highly desirable items. Anything you have is greatly appreciated!

We don't have any ice hockey rinks in Southern San Diego, but ice hockey equipment is helpful as well. Even ice skates can help in getting kids introduced to the sport.

I do a beginner program for adults too, so even adult-sized equipment is eagerly needed as well. Just wanted to make sure you know that ALL equipment is graciously accepted.

Thank you in advance for help and consideration in helping to give anyone a chance to play a sport which has had such a positive affect on so many young lives.

Sincerely,
Jerry Nestlerode
jnestlero@aol.com

Please help to fill Jerry's truck with all your used hockey gear lying around in your garage and send him back to San Diego with a smile and well-wishes from all of us in the hockey communities up north. Your donations will go a long way to helping this community, and help to unite our sport across the state and everywhere!

* The San Diego CIF Metropolitan League is an 18-member, varsity high school league in San Diego County and the only officially CIF sanctioned roller hockey league in our state. Jerry Nestlerod is unofficial league commissioner, the head coach of the Southwest High School team and a community activist in promoting roller hockey throughout the community. Jerry, a 15 year hockey player veteran who also has a Masters degree in Athletic Directorship, is very active in building roller hockey programs in his immediate community centered at the outdoor, lighted rink built at Castle Park High School in Chula Vista. This location also is home to some CIF games. Other CIF games are played at Skate San Diego of National City and the Escondido Sports Center Roller Hockey arena in north county San Diego.

HOCKEY HELPING HOCKEY. ONE COMMUNITY UNITED.