Along with Thursday's in-game celebration, fans will have the opportunity to donate to the Foundation by texting the code CANESKIDS to 243725, from now through the end of Thursday's game. A Hurricanes Season Ticket Member and Foundation supporter, wishing to remain anonymous, has pledged to match cash donations up to $5,000.
GOAL (Growing Opportunities and Leaders) Grants were introduced by the Kids N' Community Foundation in 2012, and are distributed in $50,000 increments, for a total of $150,000 over three years, to six organizations. East Durham Children's Initiative, The Hill Center/Boys and Girls Club of Greater Durham, Durham Nativity School, Transitions LifeCare, Read and Feed and StepUp Ministry each received incremental funding in 2016-17.
The Foundation issued 15 Game Changer Grants during their spring grant cycle, totaling $150,000. The Game Changer Grant recipients are: ACCESS of Wilmington, Book Harvest, HELPS Education Fund, Junior League of Raleigh and Special Olympics NC at the $5,000 level; Alice Aycock Poe Center for Health Education, Assistance League of the Triangle Area, City of Oaks Foundation, Orange County Rape Crisis Center and The First Tee of the Triangle at the $10,000 level; Me Fine Foundation, Playworks, NC Amateur Sports, Student U, Wake PTA Council and WAKE Up and Read at the $15,000 level.
Future Canes Grants, awarded to eight youth hockey organizations, totaled $110,000. Future Canes Grants are provided to grow the sport of hockey throughout North Carolina, and the funds go towards scholarships and program costs to ensure that children who suffer financial restraints or disabilities are able to play ice hockey. Future Canes Grant recipients are: Bridge II Sports, Coastal Carolina Hockey Association, Greensboro Youth Hockey Association, Raleigh Youth Hockey Association, Triangle Special Hockey Association, Triangle Youth Hockey of North Carolina, United Heroes League and Winston-Salem Youth Hockey Association.
All 29 groups will be represented during an on ice check presentation during the second intermission of Thursday's game, and individuals from the Foundation will be siren sounders for the evening. Carolina Hurricanes corporate partners that been impactful supporters of the Kids 'N Community Foundation will have their donations recognized with check presentations in game. These partners include the Carolina Ale House, Mercury Gate and Tito's Vodka.
