Calgary Flames forward James Neal, in partnership with the Calgary Police Foundation and the Calgary Flames Foundation, has launched a unique community initiative that will help youth facing various cultural barriers.
Throughout the season James will lend his time to Power Play, a free, weekly hockey drop in program delivered in partnership with the Calgary Police Service and Hockey Calgary. Power Play engages approximately 70-100 youth, ages 6 to 17, and gives the participants an opportunity to learn how to skate and play hockey while interacting with on-ice Calgary Police Officers in a safe and supportive environment.
“These interactions between professional hockey players and our Power Play kids can be life-changing,” says Marla Cohen, Executive Director of the Calgary Police Foundation. “James is leaving his positive and contagious attitude on youth who look up to him as a hero. The youth and the Officers will be talking about it for years.”
Neal will also invite youth to watch numerous Flames home games from his personal seats. What sets this initiative a part is that the youth will be paired with one Calgary Police Officer who will not only bring them to the game but will sit with them which further establishes the relationship while also demonstrating that an Officer is a safe adult.
“I’m excited to partner with the Calgary Police Foundation on this initiative” said Neal. “To be able to mentor and help better the lives of youth in Calgary means a lot to me.”
For more information on this initiative or to see how you can help, please visit www.calgarypolicefoundation.com. Further details on Power Play specifically can be found under “Programs Funded”.
About Calgary Police Foundation:
The Calgary Police Foundation is an independent entity that partners exclusively with the Calgary Police Service. Together we support carefully selected community initiatives to prevent children and youth from victimization and engaging in criminal activity. This is achieved by focusing on education, prevention, and early intervention programs which are not funded by traditional government sources.
About Calgary Flames Foundation:
The Calgary Flames Foundation strives to improve the lives of southern Albertans through the support of health and wellness, education, and amateur and grassroots sports initiatives. Since inception, the Calgary Flames Foundation has invested over $32 million back into Southern Alberta through various charities and projects. We fund ongoing commitments to our community including the recent $2.0 million donation to Calgary Minor Hockey to help fund programs like the Flames Even Strength, assistance for families who cannot afford registration fees, as well as the $1.0 million donation to the Rotary Flame House, a hospice for families who have children with life-limiting illnesses.