On Saturday, January 24th, our good friend (and HSF Director Joe Merry’s brother-in-law) Matt Goethals established an innovative effort to support Hope Strengthens Foundation.
Matt is an educator and the head coach of the boys varsity hockey team at Pomfret School in Connecticut. Ahead of Saturday night’s game against Albany Academy, Matt issued a fun challenge to the entire school community to come out to the rink and support the team for a great cause.
Matt shared brief details about how Joe’s courageous and successful battle against cancer served as the inspiration behind the establishment of HSF. Matt then personally pledged that for every “POSITIVE, POMFRET FOCUSED CHEER that is LOUD and UNITED,” he would donate $10 to HSF, up to $200, leaving room for 20 cheers over the course of 3 periods.
This creative, fun way to support the team and help a great cause in the process, created a firestorm of support and other pledges resulted in nearly $1,700 in donations received in less than 24 hours!
This was an incredible and moving gesture by Coach Goethals and the entire Pomfret community. We are humbled by everyone’s support and this outstanding fundraising effort will make a tremendous difference for those facing life-threatening illness or recovering from traumatic injuries.
– HSF