WORCESTER—Is five times in six years a dynasty?
If so, the Worcester Railers have qualified for that description with their fifth ECHL Community Service Team of the Year award. They also earned that honor four times from 2019 through 2022.
Established in 2016, the Worcester Railers HC Foundation has donated more than $1.6 million and has partnered with more than 750 local community organizations throughout Central Massachusetts.
The Foundation aims to make the sport of hockey accessible for all and has a primary focus on youth-based organizations in Central Mass.
“We are honored that the ECHL has once again recognized the Railers’ unparalleled community efforts,” Chief Operating Officer Mike Myers said. “We are proud of our impact in Central Massachusetts and ability to give back to local families and non-profits.”
During the past season, the foundation donated more than $200,000 dollars to non-profits, contributed more than 2,500 volunteer hours, and welcomed more than 2,000 Worcester Public Schools fourth graders for the team’s flagship community program, Skate to Success.
The Railers Foundation’s flagship program, Skate to Success, offers free skating lessons to more than 2,000 fourth graders from 27 Worcester public schools and one public charter school annually at the Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center. Additionally, the Railers mascot, TRAX, has made over 1,275 appearances at various events, including schools, hospitals, community festivals, and charity functions.
Bill Ballou covered the Red Sox for the Worcester Telegram from 1997 through 2018. He has covered pro hockey in Worcester since 1994 and currently does a weekly column for the Worcester Red Sox. Ballou can be reached at vetgoalie@aol.com
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