The Bartlett, Wheaton, West Chicago Wildhawk hockey players proudly represented their organization today when they strutted their stuff out on the Carol Stream Ice Rink in order to skate with children with epilepsy. The event was initially established by the Epilepsy Foundation of Greater Chicago.
The Epilepsy Foundation has area Community Action Boards, otherwise known as CABs, that put on different events for family afflicted with the disease. The events are created by teams of dedicated volunteer leaders who are working to increasing the mission that has been established by the Epilepsy Foundation. The Wheaton CAB is one of 43 county regions that have these Community Action Boards.
With activities like this open skate that took place today at 540 Gundersen Drive in Carol Stream, it allows the Foundation to expand and enrich community associations. It also allows for the kids and their families to feel a connection to others living in and around them.
The team members that took part in this great event proudly displayed their skills, albeit having to tone down their speed and ability to check each other on the ice. The hockey team wore helmets and their Wildhawk gear to display safety and team pride.
The Wheaton CAB, assisted by Linda Florian, the lovely wife of the Epilepsy President Kurt Florian, put on a pizza party for their members plus a variety of drinks and deserts. Hallee and Debbie, CAB representatives and members of the Epilepsy Foundation, were up early baking cookies and brownies for the enjoyment of all. The eating festivities began at 1:30; skating took place afterward from 2:30 until 3:30. Afterward the hungry kids all gathered back in the meeting room to polish off the goodies.
The skaters, plus one sibling, included Reese and Drew Stoneburner, Mac Evans, Dino Parducci, Jeremy Zarth, Trevor Hansen, Matt Riban, Jake Williams, Z.J. Hayes, Lawrence Caputo, Sean Murphy, Patrick Ummel, Mike Cuttrone, Scott Olson, Christian Kumpf and Nick Wilson.
The group of young men assisted the other skaters around the ice until which time they felt comfortable enough skating on their own. A few of the children had a lot of skill on the ice and gave the team members a real run (or shall we say turn) for their money.
It is a proud moment when you witness a group of strapping young men show their sensitive side and help out fellow community members. The group all really got along well! If the Wildhawk team was able to skate the disease away, they surely would!
If you know of anyone that has a family member that has epilepsy and could use a helping hand, Hallee and Debbie run a support group the second Wednesday of every month at Cadence/Central DuPage Hospital from 7:00 until 9:00 p.m. This beneficial group is for those impacted in some way by epilepsy; either they have it themselves or have a family member that does. If you have any questions, please phone them at 630-289-5577.
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