ECHL Orlando Solar Bears

Solar Bears Help Package over 20,000 Meals for Hungry Kids

Published on September 29, 2012 under ECHL (ECHL)
Orlando Solar Bears News Release


Orlando, FL - The Orlando Solar Bears helped package over 20,000 meals for needy children this morning at the Feeding Children Everywhere's "Pack the Park" event. Managing Partners Joe Haleski and Jason Siegel, Head Coach Drake Berehowsky, and players Kevin Baker, Thomas Beauregard, Ryan Cruthers, T.J. Fox, Alexandre Imbeault, and Ryan Blair, as well as 'SHADES' the Solar Bears mascot, volunteered to help pack food for kids in need from 10:00 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. today at the Feeding Children Everywhere Headquarters in Orlando.

"In less than three years we have accomplished about 10 million meals and mobilized almost 50,000 volunteers," said Don Campbell, president and CEO of Feeding Children Everywhere. "We feed about 4,000 kids every single day in different parts of the world, and all of it is done through schools. We think education is the key to solving the problem. Our kids have to learn to eat healthy at ages five, six, 10 and 12 to develop healthy patterns later in life."

The meals are simple, healthy, and delicious, and consist of rice, lentils, a blend of six dehydrated vegetables, and pink Himalayan salt. "I sat down with a nutritional doctor and asked her to help us put something together," said Campbell. "We wanted high protein and dietary fiber, but we wanted it to be flavorful."

"I was working as a Salt-Scooper," said Solar Bears forward Kevin Baker. "It was my job to measure out a scoop of salt for each bag, which was also the start of the process. That we were able to pack over 20,000 meals in just over an hour was really amazing. It was a great experience to see all the volunteers having a good time and being so excited to help."

Baker also mentioned the impact of hearing from a few local school teachers that volunteered. "Hearing from some teachers that their students are hungry and that 20 percent of them are homeless had a big impact. We need to change that, and a few hours of volunteer work is nothing if it means kids won't go hungry."

"We want to thank Don Campbell and his staff for the work they do in Orlando and around the world," said Managing Partner Jason Siegel. "With training camp starting tomorrow and our players in town early, it was a perfect opportunity for our athletes to make an impact in the community by volunteering. We want to encourage everyone to go their website and sign up to volunteer, too; www.FeedingChildrenEverywhere.com."

"We really enjoyed our experience here today and look forward to coming out and helping again in the future," Head Coach Drake Berehowsky said.

The Orlando Solar Bears, the ECHL affiliate of the NHL's Minnesota Wild and AHL's Houston Aeros, are coming Out of Hibernation and will play 36 regular season home games at the 2012 Street and Smith's Sports Business Journal Sports Facility of the Year, the Amway Center, beginning October 20, 2012. Individual tickets for all 36 regular season home games are now on sale beginning as low as $15. To purchase your tickets, please visit www.OrlandoSolarBearsHockey.com or the Amway Center Box Office.

Follow the Solar Bears at www.OrlandoSolarBearsHockey.com, Facebook, and Twitter (@OrlandoHockey) for all the latest news and updates.

Season ticket plans are available now. Everyone is invited to take advantage of the Orlando Solar Bears season ticket pre-sale offer by placing a $50 deposit per ticket now to receive seat selection priority. Full and half season ticket plans range in price from $225-$1480 per season ticket (includes facility fee), reflecting a savings of up to 42% off box office pricing. Call the Solar Bears at 407-951-8200 to speak to a Ticket Sales Account Manager.

Group tickets are a great way to entertain employees, co-workers, clients, friends and family. For more information on discounted group tickets and a list of group benefits, call 407-951-8200.

Check out the Orlando Solar Bears Statistics

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