Ice flyers increased Community Efforts start with Steps For Autism
By Bill Vilona
Ice Flyers Correspondent
The past two years of adverse times have made the Ice Flyers appreciate their future.
In the days that followed last season’s end, which navigated through lingering issues created by the coronavirus pandemic, team owner Greg Harris brainstormed ways to create more community involvement.
The first happens Sept. 24 when the Ice Flyers are the presenting sponsor for the annual Steps For Autism charitable event at the Pensacola State College track. The walk-a-thon event benefits Autism Pensacola. The Ice Flyers have put together specialty jersey nights since the 2018-19 season to benefit the local non-profit organization.
“Joe Webb (board of directors member of Autism Pensacola) was my initial contact for our first community initiative night for Autism Pensacola,” Harris said. “We put on a great first event and over two years we have raised over $40,000 for them. He reached out to me saying, ‘Hey we are looking for a title sponsor for our Steps For Autism event. Do you have any interest?’
“Right about that time, I was thinking about something we could be potentially involved with, right before the season. The timing was perfect. I know the organization very well. I’ve gotten to learn a lot more about autism and the effects of autism and what families go through when having someone in their family or friends with someone on the spectrum.”
The event happens less than a month before the Ice Flyers’ season opener on Oct. 20 at the Pensacola Bay Center against the Huntsville Havoc. The Ice Flyers will begin training camp on Oct. 14.
The Steps For Autism occurs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Pensacola State College track. It will involve teams walking the track for an unlimited distance. Registration for the event is open on www.autismpensacola.org.
“It just all worked out,” Harris said. “I talked with Mary McClellan (director of Autism Pensacola) and we signed up on it. And it has been great. It is something that helps them out and we can use our platform to promote their events as well. So hopefully, we can bring more attention to this cause and get more resources drawn to it.
“There will be some vendors there that day, and it’s just a fun event that anyone can be involved in.”
Harris remembers how the community and the team’s loyal season-ticket holders supported the Ice Flyers during their Covid-shortened 2020-21 season when the Ice Flyers won their fourth Southern Professional Hockey League title.
This season, the Ice Flyers will have a charity of the month. The front office is working with other charity events in the community to further involvement throughout the year. They will continue a partnership with Northwest Florida Big Brothers Big Sisters.
This has been an off-season without the concerns of the past two preseasons. It has freed up Harris and his staff to get further involvement in community projects and partnerships.
“The timing just feels right,” Harris said. “These last couple years have grown my love, my appreciation for everything that happens in this area, especially with the local non-profits.
“So the feeling is let’s raise the money locally and donate it local.”
WANT TO HELP?
WHAT: Steps For Autism Day, presented by Pensacola Ice Flyers
WHEN: Sept. 24, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
WHERE: Pensacola State College Track
WHO: Open to all interested participants
WEBSITE: www.autismpensacola.org
DONATE: https://icefly.co/3eQGXs0
