By Staff Report
HAMPTON, N.H. – Operation Hat Trick (OHT), a nonprofit that supports the recovery of wounded service members and veterans through the sale of its branded merchandise, in partnership with the Red River Charitable Foundation (RRCF), has recently entered into a two-year commitment with six Warrior Ice Hockey programs throughout the country.
The mission of these programs is to administer an ice hockey program that provides a recreational, therapeutic experience and education. The donations will be used to obtain ice time for the teams to practice, which is critical for the advancement of the teams and the therapeutic benefits of the programs.
The organizations that OHT and RRCF are partnering with include: North Carolina Warrior Hockey Program in Raleigh, North Carolina; Charleston Warriors Sled Hockey in Charleston, South Carolina; Challenge Alaska/Alaska Warriors Hockey in the Anchorage, Alaska area; Minnesota Ice Hockey Warriors Hockey in St. Paul, Minnesota; Capital Beltway Warriors in the Washington, D.C. area; and Ice Vets Adaptive Sports in New Hampshire and Vermont.
The Red River Charitable Foundation supports veterans and their families by providing technology career counseling and mentorships as well as emergency monetary assistance as they integrate back into our community.
Operation Hat Trick began in 2008 in honor of two fallen Navy SEALs, Nate Hardy and Mike Koch, who are buried next to each other at Arlington National Cemetery. The nonprofit works with colleges and universities, sports leagues, companies and fans across the U.S. to honor active-duty military and veterans through the sale of its branded merchandise.
“Operation Hat Trick is humbled and proud of the support we have received, thus making it possible for us to have an impact and make a difference for those in need as we strive to fill some critical gaps in care,” said Dot Sheehan, founder, president and CEO of OHC. “Our mission is to support the recovery of wounded service members and veterans, so the missions of these organizations fit perfectly.”
“The Red River Charitable Foundation has seen first-hand the impact adaptive sports can have on veterans in developing friendships, building confidence and providing encouragement,” said Kim Vacca, RRCF Director. “We could not be more proud to join Operation Hat Trick in supporting veterans and helping them heal from the wounds of war.”
Since 2014, OHT has donated over $1.6 million to various veteran service organizations to support the recovery of service members and veterans.
The RRCF supports veterans and their families by partnering with veteran organizations to offer services not currently provided by the Veteran Affairs or other government agencies. This includes technology career counseling and mentorships, emergency monetary assistance, service dog matching and sponsorship of adaptive sports clinics.
For more information on Operation Hat Trick, visit operationhattrick.org.
For more information on the Red River Charitable Foundation, visit redrivercharitablefoundation.com.
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