IceHogs Community Fund and Chicago Blackhawks Foundation to Award $135,000 in Grants to Nine Rockford Area Organizations

The Rockford IceHogs Community Fund will award $135,000 in grants to support nine Rockford area organizations and 10 unique programs for the 2024-25 grant cycle.

The first grant for the 2024-25 cycle has been awarded to the Rockford Hockey Club in the amount of $20,000.

Last year, Rockford Hockey Club was awarded $10,000 from the IceHogs Community Fund to help reduce the cost to play at the 8U level. The grant allowed the club to add 20 new 8U players while reducing costs across the board at all levels. This year's $20,000 grant will once again help reduce costs at the 8U level with a goal of adding 20 new 8U players again this year. The additional $10,000 will fund the formation of a new Rockford Hockey Club girls program for 8U, 10U, and 12U players.

"Building the sport at a grassroots level is so important," said IceHogs President of Business Operations Ryan Snider. "Currently, there are girls playing in the Rockford Hockey Club, but they are either playing on a boys team in Rockford or having to go into Chicago to play on an all-girls team. We're looking to provide them the opportunity to play on a girls team here in locally."

"We are extremely grateful that the IceHogs and the Blackhawks have these initiatives to help us grow our programs," said President of the Rockford Hockey Club Jordan Tuminaro. "Last year, we were able to help 20 new 8U players enter into hockey. This year, we're going to expand that initiative and start a girls-only program. We're very thankful that those funds are coming to us because without that support we wouldn't be able to go through with these initiatives."

In addition to the Rockford Hockey Club grant, the IceHogs Community Fund will award grants to these nine organizations and programs as part of the $135,000 in awards for this cycle:

• Chicago Storm Special Hockey
• Life Decisions
• Rockford Area Arts Council
• Rockford Park District - Junior StreetHogs
• Rockford Park District - Buddy Hockey
• Rockford Raptors Soccer
• Rock House Kids
• Rosecrance
• Think Big!

More details on these additional grants will be revealed throughout the summer.

About the IceHogs Community Fund
The IceHogs Community Fund (ICF), supported by the Chicago Blackhawks Foundation, is invested in making a positive social impact by supporting initiatives that will help make the Rockford region a better place to work, live, and play. Through partnerships with local organizations, the ICF is dedicated to growing the game of hockey by working to broaden exposure and reduce barriers to the sport.

The ICF raises funds throughout the year in a variety of ways, including specialty jersey auctions as well as gameday sales of 50/50 raffle tickets and Chuck-A-Pucks.

About the Rockford Hockey Club
The Rockford Hockey Club provides a competitive hockey experience for 8U through 18U skaters. The club has been in existence over 30 years and strives to maintain a positive, fun learning environment for the developing skater and continue with the past success the Rockford Hockey Club has achieved, pursuing a high standard of ethics, organization, and competitiveness for the future of the Club through integrity, leadership, and responsibility with the focus on increased membership, successful fundraising, and committed/qualified coaching with the end result being quality play for all members.