Hershey Bears Give Back: March 2019

The Hershey Bears are committed to giving back to the community as a part of our Hershey Bears Cares initiative. In the month of March, Bears players appeared at the 7th annual Running for Rachel event at six different Arooga’s locations across Central PA. Additionally, the Bears made appearances at Ollie’s Bargain Outlet, hosted the American Special Hockey Association (ASHA), and PUCHOG, a club that puts wounded veterans on the ice to play hockey as a means of physical, mental and emotional therapy.

On March 5, Hershey forwards Beck Malenstyn and Nathan Walker signed autographs at the Ollie’s Bargain Outlet in Harrisburg from 5-7 p.m.

The following day, Bears players, coaches and staff were joined by members of PUCHOG after practice at Hersheypark Arena. PUCHOG members joined Hershey players in sled hockey, a variation of hockey played by those with physical and emotional impairments.

The next week on March 12, the Bears hosted ASHA for the 4th consecutive year following a practice at Giant Center.

March 16 marked Autism Acceptance Night for the Hershey Bears in a home game against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers. Bears players wore specialty Autism Acceptance jerseys which were auctioned post game. Proceeds from the jersey auction benefited the Vista School in Hershey and The Tommy Foundation.

The Bears concluded their community appearance schedule on March 20 with the 7th annual Running for Rachel event at Arooga’s. Two Bears players attended Arooga’s at the Hummelstown, Mechanicsburg, Harrisburg Route 22, Route 15, Lancaster and Linglestown locations.

A grand total of $8,725 was raised across the six locations, setting a new record in the annual event.