When former Pitt-Bradford Hockey Team member Matt Pekular lived in the community as a student, he had no idea of the prevalence of domestic violence – and the service provided to victims through the YWCA Bradford.
Pekular recently learned of the YW’s homeless shelter when he took a tour of the facility and decided to raise awareness and donations for the program through a Pitt-Bradford alumni hockey game Saturday.
Pekular and other alumni team members will play against the 2017-18 Pitt-Bradford Hockey Team in a benefit game that begins at 10:30 a.m. at Callahan Ice Rink. The event, which is open to the community, requests donations of personal hygiene items for YW shelter residents as an admission fee. Monetary donations for the shelter will also be accepted and commemorative pucks will be available for purchase during the event.
Pekular, a 2015 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford and the Hockey Club’s founding captain, has donated the cost for the ice time in order to bring awareness to the YW, which serves individuals, children and families from all walks of life.
“I wanted to bring awareness and support to the growing demands of one of the community’s most vital services, which is the YWCA,” Pekular said “The YWCA serves critical needs in the area that are not always known or understood unless you have used them – which is why I wanted to bring more awareness.”
Pekular also chose the YW to help because the organization “gives families hope and the opportunity to be self-sufficient.”
Vanessa Castano, executive director of the YW, said she was delighted to learn about the benefit game. She also noted the YW doesn’t just serve women, but also assists men.
“Fellas like Matt, and his fellow hockey players, not only raise awareness about what the YWCA does, but it gives us a chance to remind everyone that men need and receive services, too,” Castano said. “Thank you so much to Matt and the rest of the players for partnering with the YWCA to shed light on the needs of many families in our community.”
Ray Geary, general manager of the hockey club also commented on the event.
“Some folks think that hockey is a rough sport, but when the game is over, the players leave it all on the ice,” Geary said. “There is no room for violence in any form or fashion when it comes to domestic partners. It will never be tolerated by our players or by our community.”
Angela Erway, development and marketing director for the YW, said hygiene products suggested for the benefit include shampoo, toothbrushes, toothpaste and laundry detergent. She said these items are in short supply because the shelter residents use them frequently.
Erway said the benefit will also include a special visit by the skating Pitt Panther for children of all ages to enjoy.
