One Million Skates is proud to be a part of the Hockey Education Reaching Out Society (HEROS) family. With the mutual goal of celebrating amateur hockey and empowering Canada’s young people, both HEROS and One Million Skates have been using the game of hockey to engage, educate and inspire for over 14 years.

Hockey is Canada’s sport. The Olympic Games are a glowing example of this as Canadians across the country stopped everything, woke up at ungodly hours and held our breaths while cheering on our men and women on their quest for Olympic Gold. Five hundred thousand players are registered in amateur hockey across Canada and millions are inspired by the heroic efforts of household names like Gretzky and Wickenheiser. Nearly every kid in Canada dreams of scoring the emotionally driven golden goal and celebrating like Crosby did in 2010 and Poulin did in Sochi in February.

Unfortunately, hockey is not a reality for every child. Even access to luxuries like a stable home environment, cable TV, computers and the internet are not available to many Canadians. HEROS brings hockey to those families. Families who face financial challenges, substance abuse and addiction, many of whom live in neighbourhoods rife with crime and violence. Hockey for these families is typically nothing but a dream. HEROS offers a place for young people to realize that very dream. With access to free programs including on ice sessions, gear, coaching and even a nutrition program, HEROS participants are given the opportunity to grow and succeed on and off of the ice.

As a non profit organization, HEROS relies on its partner organizations as well as generous donations of individuals across the country. If you relate to the impact that sport, particularly hockey, can have on the lives of young Canadians, please consider a charitable donation to HEROS.

To learn more about HEROS visit www.oldsite.heroshockey.com