Lindenwood Roller Hockey and Softball teams partner up with Rainbows for Kids

Where do you expect college athletes to be at 10 a.m. on a brisk January Saturday morning? Most would probably be just waking up, and some still in bed. That was not the case, however, for two collegiate athletic teams with one combined goal: to entertain and socialize with the children involved with Rainbows for Kids.  This particular Rainbows for Kids event was joined with the Lindenwood University Roller Hockey and Softball teams, including kids ages 3-17, that have been diagnosed with cancer.  

"The athletes really enjoy this event," said organizer Sherry Opich, a Rainbows for Kids volunteer whose daughter plays on the Lindenwood University Softball Team. "They were looking forward to it and then after it was over, many asked if we could do it again."

This was the second year that these Lindenwood teams paired up with the Rainbows for Kids organization, and the first year that The St. Charles Chill minor league hockey team got involved in the event. Shiver, their mascot, and players including forward Kyle O'Kane, goaltender Linus Lundin and volunteer Mike Spangler joined the fun on Saturday January 11, 2014.

The kids arrived at the Evans Commons on Lindenwood’s campus, where each kid was given a t-shirt and new helmet for the event.  Each kid was matched up with at least one hockey and softball player for the event, and were then lead to the multi-purpose rink.  Each child was given a hockey stick and sports ball to play with, and spent the morning passing, shooting, and running around with their partners. Although there were new faces, the kids that were involved last year remembered their specific partners and were eager to partner up again.

Captain Justin Steller shares his game jersey with his partner for the day.

 

Lindenwood Roller Hockey coach Ron Beilsten, in his tenth season as head coach as well as other coaches including Jon Hilke, Tom Schneider, and Jim Jones directed some drills and eventually supported the kids in playing a small game. “This was a great event for everyone involved,” Coach Hilke said, “This was the second year we have been involved and I think we may have learned more from the kids then the kids learned from us. We look forward to this event each year!”

Physical situations with these children included a child who had part of his lung removed due to a rare pediatric lung cancer, a child who is legally blind, a child with a prosthetic leg, a partially deaf transplant patient, and more. It was clear that none of these “situations” seemed to matter when they were given a stick, a ball, and a partner to play with.  The heart and excitement that was seen that day was both inspiring and humbling, giving the athletes a feeling of pride in being a part of something bigger than themselves.

Every child was treated to and fitted with a bike helmet for their protection. The helmets were donated by "Safe Kids St. Louis" an organization through the Cardinal Glennon Foundation. Hockey sticks were donated through Franklin Sports and Total Hockey. After they posed for pictures, the kids were treated to Pizza courtesy of Pirrone's Pizza (with locations in St. Peters and Florissant) and chocolate chip cookies from Steak 'n Shake in St. Charles.

Rainbows for Kids are holding a Trivia Night to raise funds to continue providing fun activities for children like these. To buy a table, make a donation, become a sponsor, or make a donation for the silent auction, contact Rob Rains at [email protected].  To view the original article written by Rob Rains of STL Sports Page, please visit www.robrains.com/businesspleasure.