A pair of Philadephia Flyers fans with wide-eyed dreams made a massive impact on their community thanks to the teams’ charities last week. Lily Walter and Natalie Van Druff, a pair of hockey-loving Philadelphia area 11-year-olds, introduced themselves to the President of Flyers Charities, Blair Lisitino, at last year’s annual charity carnival. The two girls proclaimed a goal to save their local ball hockey rink from becoming a dastardly pickleball court.
Flyers Charities assist local fans with generous donation
Listino was immediately impressed and on board to help the girls execute the bold plan. “We want to grow the game of hockey,” Listino told NHL Network. “We want women’s athletes to be a part of Flyers hockey, we want youth sports, more and more ball hockey and ice hockey rinks around our community. It could not have been a better fit.” This is not just talk from the President of Flyers Charities. The organization has donated over half a million dollars to grow the sport around the Philadelphia area since 2021.
The business-savvy hockey fans used a 2021 NJ-based community rink renovation that was assisted by Flyers Charities when presenting their proposal to the township long before funding was ever secured. Lily & Natalie did their homework and then some according to Listino.
“They knew how many children played at the rink and how many people would be impacted if there wasn’t this rink in the community… they went straight to their township and then when we got on board, it was helpful to get some more publicity and we were also able to raise the funds for them to do this renovation.”
The Flyers fans were presented with a $200,000 check from Flyers charities while also getting a chance to meet forward Garnet Hathaway at the teams’ Training Center in Voorhees, New Jersey backin June. Of course, the world-famous Gritty could never miss such a momentous occasion delighting the children as only the Flyers mascot can do. Natalie Van Druff expressed deep gratitude for such a special partnership.
“This experience has been so amazing. The feeling I get when I think about it is beyond words,” She said via the Mercury. “I’m so grateful that the township approved our proposal for our dream hockey home. I’d also like to thank Flyers Charities for donating $200,000 to make it happen. I never would have thought that we would build a hockey rink with our favorite team!”
Natalie’s mother, Kate Van Druff, had similar sentiments when speaking about watching her daughter (and her friend) accomplish a goal they had diligently set their minds to:
“We are thankful beyond words for Flyers Charities’ tremendous generosity and support with this timeless and priceless gift,” said Kate Van Druff, Natalie’s mom.
“Also, being backed by our favorite hockey team, the Philadelphia Flyers, is nothing short of a dream come true. That word ‘dream’ keeps coming up a lot – and how could it not? Imagine being 11 years old and this is your life. As a mom watching it all unfold, it’s truly surreal.”
The funds were utilized for the renovation of The Rink at New Hanover Community Park to turn an unsafe asphalt surface into a true outdoor hockey rink. Last week, Flyers Charities assisted in a grand opening with free pizza and water ice for attendees. The renewed outdoor hockey space received new flooring and boards, team benches and penalty box areas, and brand-new hockey nets for all-ages goal-scoring needs!
Thanks to the efforts of Lilly Walter and Natalie Van Druff and Flyers Charities, hockey players in New Hanover will have a safe space to play in 2024 and beyond.
Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
