Just a few days from now, on August 2nd, The Gardens Ice House in Laurel, MD will once again host the “Leap Towards a Cure” Charity Hockey Tournament & Community Festival starting at 10 am. Proceeds from the Tournament will benefit the Andrea Henderson Memorial Fund.
The fund is named after Andrea “Froggy” Henderson, a long-time art teacher at Eleanor Roosevelt High School in Greenbelt, MD, who passed away from complications from breast cancer in October 2009. From 1998 through 2008 Froggy served as faculty sponsor, friend, and advocate for the ERHS Ice Raiders, providing a guiding hand for the team through its inception, recognition by the school as a varsity sport, and ongoing growth.
The Andrew Henderson Memorial Fund was organized by ERHS Ice Raiders alumni shortly after Froggy’s memorial service. For the last five years, they’ve hosted a hockey tournament to raise funds. Accoridng to the charity’s website, to date, they have donated nearly $65,000 to the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, MD.
The event isn’t just hockey. There will be a Community Festival with free food (Provided by Outback Steakhouse), arts & crafts, and other free activities. There will also be a silent auction (also benefiting the Memorial Fund), with items up for bidding such as:
- Washington Nationals Tickets, courtesy of American Pest
- A two-night stay at the Sheraton Silver Spring Hotel
- Kevin Seraphim-signed mini basketball, courtesy of the Washington Wizards
- Jason Chimera-signed puck, courtesy of the Washington Capitals
And many more!
For the first time ever, this year’s event will also play host to the Leap Towards a Cure Comic Convention from 10am-4pm! There will be local artists exhibiting and selling their work. Come check out some amazing, award-winning creators, several with ties to the area hockey community! Including:
- Kevin Cook
- Terry Flippo
- Monica Gallagher
- Rafer Roberts
- Joe Sutcliff
And yours truly, RMNB’s own Rachel Cohen!!!
I’ll be selling signed prints (including small and large versions of the NHL House Sigils), limited edition linoleum-cut prints, VERY limited edition screenprinted patches & T-Shirts, and I’ll have a few original paintings as well!
And on Sunday, come hang out at the after party. Held at Jailbreak Brewing Company from 6 pm to 9 pm, there will be happy hour pricing all evening on Jailbreak’s selection of craft brews, plus free food and brewery tours. Admission to the after party is free for all tournament participants and volunteers, and a $5 entry charge for all guests– 100% of which goes to pediatric oncology research at the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins.
Check out the Facebook event and RSVP.
So on August 2nd, come on out to Laurel to watch some hockey, peruse the works of local artists, and support a great cause!
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