POTSDAM, N.Y.-SUNY Potsdam men’s hockey player Jake Rivera (Pacific Palisades, Calif./Hartford Wolfpack) presented Outdoor Recreation Coordinator for the Cerebral Palsy Association of the North Country (CPANC) Jim Williams with a check for $1,065. The money was raised during the Bears’ Autism Awareness Night on Feb. 19. Outdoor Recreation Program members Greg Wing and Sean Tiernan joined Williams for the presentation.
Potsdam wore special jerseys that night as the Bears hosted SUNY Geneseo. After the game, the Bears then auctioned off their jerseys and donated the proceeds along with the proceeds from the 50/50 raffle to the CPANC.
“We had a really great time at Autism Awareness Night,” said Williams. “Greg and Sean got to drop the puck. The sales of their jerseys really makes our program happy. We do depend on donations so people can cover some expenses that aren’t otherwise covered.”
The Outdoor Recreation Program uses the donations for whitewater rafting trips, horseback riding, camping and various other activities.
Rivera, a senior forward with the Bears, connected with the organization last Spring after discussing community service with head coach Chris Bernard. He then worked with CPANC representatives and SUNY Potsdam Military/Veteran Student Coordinator Pat Massaro to select the date for the event. Massaro helped create the special jerseys and with the sponsor Amerlux Lighting, made the night happen.
“It doesn’t take much effort to make somebody’s day,” Rivera said. “We’re all really lucky that we’re in a position where we can positively influence other people. It makes an impact even if you aren’t an athlete, but the fact that we were Potsdam Hockey players, it meant more to them.”
While Rivera is graduating in 11 days, he expects the connection between his teammates and the organization to grow in the future.
