Greetings!
It's been a busy year for both the SkateTherapy and Sled Hockey programs, and we'll highlight events for both in this edition, and let you know how you could win Houston AEROS "Seats between the benches" for as little as $5.
For the first time ever, Sled Hockey will be played on WHEELS at the George R. Brown Convention Center as part of Metal & Muscle between 11am and 1pm on Saturday March 3rd. Come on out and try it for Free!
In April, the Houston Sled Hockey team will travel to Dallas to participate in the disabled hockey festival. And in May, we'll host the Paralympic Sled Hockey Experience at Ice Skate USA, 4-7pm on May 12th. Click here for an event flyer.
Also, scroll down for a 2 minute shot of inspiration, determination and trust as we profile one of our SkateTherapy skaters, Francesca.
If you know of anyone who could benefit from any of our programs, please click the link below to FORWARD TO A FRIEND. Thanks!
Sincerely,
Jim ONeill
STARskaters.org
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Sled Hockey On Wheels!
For the first time in Texas, Sled Hockey will be played on wheels at the George R. Brown Convention Center, in on Saturday March 3rd.
The event is the annual Metal & Muscle show which features a variety of adaptive sports including wheelchair basketball, rugby, power soccer, volleyball and for the first time...Sled Hockey.
There will be a sled hockey exhibition between 11am-12noon, and a chance for anyone to "Try Sled Hockey FREE" from noon-1pm.
The event is all day Saturday, March 3rd in Hall "C" at the GRB. We hope to see you there!
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Win "Seats Between The Benches" for an AEROS game.
Where are the BEST seat in the house for a Houston AEROS game? How about right in the middle of the action between the players benches, right on the glass! You can't BUY these seats at the box office, but you could WIN them for just $5.  The Houston AEROS booster club is selling chances to WIN these "Seats Between the Benches" until March 11th. Tickets are $5 per chance, or 5 chances for $20, and you can purchase them online by sending a PayPal donation to donate@STARskaters.orgWinner will be drawn on March 11th, so get your donation in today! |
| Francesca's Story
 | | Francesca's Story - SkateTherapy.org |
Francesca's story is one of determination, and trust. Imagine skating with your eyes closed. Francesca has never had the benefit of sight, but every Saturday she glides onto the ice with her instructor Mandy Bienevedes at Sugar Land Ice & Sports Center.
After less than a year in the SkateTherapy program, she's skating solo, on one leg, and doing things that nobody ever believed she could do on the ice.
None of this would be possible without generous donations from individuals and corporations, our volunteers, BL Wylie an her staff of U.S. Figure Skating trained instructors, and the support of Sugar Land Ice & Sports Center.
If you know of someone who could benefit from this program, or would like to volunteer your time, or donate to support the program, contact BL@SkateTherapy.org
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Paralympic Experience May 12th
Save the date!Some of the best Sled Hockey players in Texas, including players from the US National team are scheduled to attend this Paralympic Sled Hockey Experience from 4-7pm on Saturday May 17th. It's all happening at Ice Skate USA at Memorial City Mall, where you can: - Meet former Houston Oiler QB Dan Pastorini.
- Try Sled Hockey for FREE!
- See Sled Hockey played up close and personal.
- Meet US National Team Players.
- Learn Sled Hockey skills & drills from the pros.
For more event information, check out www.TexasSledHockey.org
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Chuck-A-Puck for STARskaters
When the AEROS take on the Hamilton Bulldogs on March 29th, you can Chuck-A-Puck and win $500, or an AEROS / STARskaters prize pack, and all proceeds go to benefit STARskaters.org Sled Hockey and SkateTherapy programs. You can purchase your puck for just $5, and give it a toss during the second intermission. The puck closest to the helmet at center ice wins an AEROS and STARskaters prize pack, and if you get the puck IN the helmet, you win $500 cash! For AEROS game tickets, contact Josh Young at 713-361-7937.
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STARskaters at AEROS Games
Thanks to the Houston AEROS, STARskaters will have an exhibit table at many of the remaining home games at the Toyota Center.
Visitors to the table can see a vintage sled hockey sled, and learn more about the various STARskaters programs.
And the AEROs have a special offer for you. Contact Josh Young at 713-361-7937, mention STARskater and get $3 off your ticket and a FREE parking pass.
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Sponsors Needed
Sled Hockey, Therapeutic Skating, Brochures and Web
When you sponsor any of our programs for Sled Hockey, Therapeutic Skating and our STAR skates, we have
many ways that we can promote your business:
- Web ads
- STARskaters.org
- TexasSledHockey.org
- SkateTherapy.org
- HoustonHockey.net
- Newsletter promotion
- Event signage
- Sled signage
- T-shirt logos
- Jersey sponsorship
- Printed brochures
- Electronic brochures
Any or all of these are available to you based on your level of sponsorship. For more, contact sponsor@STARskaters.org
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Ebay Fundraiser for STARskaters
Bid on our items, or hold your own eBay auction!
 Many individuals and companies have generously donated items to help STARskaters raise the money needed to operate our programs. These items are then listed on eBay to allow bidders from Houston and around the USA to bid on the items. Items are generally sports related and are updated regularly online. If you'd like to see what's is currently available for bidding, go to: http://myworld.ebay.com/starskaters
If you'd like to hold your OWN auction on eBay to benefit STARskaters, CLICK HERE to learn more.
And, if you have an item you'd like to donate, contact us at donate@STARskaters.org
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STARskaters Brochure
Online PDF available by clicking here
Sponsors are being sought for the 2012 version of the STARskaters brochure.
The brochure is distributed at area ice rinks, sponsor locations and the Toyota Center at the STARskaters.org table at most Houston AEROS games.
Inside, you'll read about the history of Sled Hockey and learn more about STARskaters programs:
- Special needs skating lessons.
- Sled Hockey.
- STAR Skate events.
You can also read more about how you can get involved in the STARskaters program as a volunteer, donor or organizing a STAR Skate for groups with special needs.
If you would like a supply of brochures shipped to you, contact jim@STARskaters.org |
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About STARskaters.org
STARskaters mission is to provide an on ice skating experience for therapy and recreation for children and adults with any special needs, and to support SLED HOCKEY in Houston. The program is open to anyone five years of age or older who would normally be unable to enjoy an on-ice skating experience due to their disability. STARskaters.org is public charity registered in Texas as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. Tax ID number 26-1657556. All donations are tax deductible. 
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Sponsor Links
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*YOUR COMPANY HERE*
For more information, contact sponsor@STARskaters.org
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STAR Supporter
Next Level Thinking - Advertising & Marketing
When STARskaters founder Jim O'Neill had the idea to start a non-profit organization to provide an on-ice experience for individuals with disabilities, that was just the beginning. Next, he needed a logo to represent the program. For that, he called on Kirk Loudon at Next Level Thinking. Next Level Thinking is a Houston based marketing and advertising company which provides a variety of services including brand building, graphic design, market research, media planning, video production, social media and much more. Next Level Thinking has also donated their time to create logos for the Texas Sled Hockey program and for STARskaters latest program, SkateTherapy.org as well as the banner shown at the top of this newsletter and seen at Houston AEROS games. Next Level Thinking has produced results for well known companies in the oil & gas, blood bank, financial services, healthcare and other industries. We'd like to thank them for their support and generous donation of their time and talents over the years and we encourage you to contact them when you have a need for any advertising and marketing services. It is support from quality organizations like Next Level Thinking that make the STARskaters mission possible. |
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STAR Volunteer
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Photo by Fred Trask
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STAR Volunteer
Rich Baumgartner
This edition, we'd like to recognize and thank one of the most regular volunteers at Saturday Sled Hockey, Rich Baumgartner.
Rich is no stranger to volunteering. In addition to helping on ice with STARskaters Sled Hockey program, he is also a volunteer firefighter for the Nassau Bay Fire Department, helps with food and clothing for the homeless at the Galveston St. Mission.
A native of New Jersey and veteran of the US Air Force, he currently works at NASA performing aircraft maintenance.
When he is not working or volunteering, Rich also enjoys playing ice hockey at the rinks in Sugar Land and Clear Lake.
Rich had this to say about volunteering for STARskaters, "I thoroughly enjoy volunteering for Sled Hockey as they have become a great group of friends and they truly enjoy our common passion for the ice.
STARskaters is thrilled to have volunteers like Rich who share their experience and time both on and off the ice for the participants in STARskaters programs. We absolutely couldn't do it without our STAR volunteers.
If you'd like to see upcoming STARskaters volunteer opportunities, click here.
And, if you'd like to get involved, contact us at volunteer@STARskaters.org |
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