February 2023 Recap: Black History Month

February was the Sharks Foundation's Black History Month campaign! On February 8, members of
Science is Elementary
(SiE) and
CalHOPE
joined
S.J. Sharkie
and the Sharks Foundation to deliver copies of Jasmine & Jose Play Hockey (J&JPH), an inclusive STEM booklet featuring Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) protagonists, and corresponding activity kits, to local youth affiliated with
Boys & Girls Club Silicon Valley
. The project was made possible by a $20,000 Community Assist Grant provided to SiE in January. The funds produced 2,000 copies of J&JPH, in both English and Spanish, and covered the hard costs of the activity kits. Prior to the distribution event, members from Team Teal and CalHOPE volunteered to pack the booklets and kits sponsored by the grant. The materials show children how the principles of science are integrated into the game of hockey. The project supported SiE's mission to provide inspiring, innovative, high-quality science experiences to preschool and elementary school children who need it most. Watch a recap of the entire project above.

On February 13, S.J. Sharkie went to Santee Elementary School for the final assembly of the season for the
Anti-Bullying
presented by
Kaiser Permanente
program. Throughout the season, over one thousand 1st-3rd grade students from six local schools were taught how to identify different types of bullying and how to be an upstander for those they see being bullied through educational and interactive elements. Don Callejon Elementary School Teacher, Ms. Williams expressed "We appreciate the support of Sharks Community. Your teamwork and presence makes our school mission and vision come to life, be more memorable, and adds value."

In-line with Black History Month, members of Team Teal participated in a Lunch & Learn on February 15. Front office staff were educated on the history of soul food and enjoyed the delicious cuisine at
Jackie's Place
in Downtown San Jose, which is making history as the only Soul Food and BBQ restaurant of its kind in Silicon Valley. Jackie's Place is a women-led, family-operated, Black-owned business that started out as a catering company in 1998 and officially opened its first brick and mortar in 2018. Some of the highlighted dishes included mac and cheese, collard greens, fried chicken wings, cornbread, and brisket.

Also that week, the newest Sharks Employee Resource Group (ERG), Black in Teal, spent the day bonding and learning how to skate at
Sharks Ice
San Jose. This ERG aims to expand the game of hockey to the Bay Area's Black communities through purposeful networking and community events.

On February 16,
Barracuda
forward
C.J. Suess
joined S.J. Sharkie at Trace Elementary for a special reading of Hockey is for Me, a children's book written by Sharks alum
Jamal Mayers
. Suess also spoke to the students about the importance of inclusion in hockey and described his path to becoming a professional hockey player.

In support of the Sharks Black History Celebration Night on February 18, Sharks players wore custom jerseys during warm-ups, with nameplates and numbers designed by
Local Color
artist
Dion Rollerson
. Local Color is a women-led non-profit that works to build equitable opportunities to keep emerging and established artists active, employed, and engaged in San Jose by commissioning public art, establishing affordable artist studios, and providing fiscal sponsorship. These specialty jerseys were bid on by fans and raised $3,900 for
African American Community Service Agency
whose mission is to preserve the dignity and culture of a diverse African American Community and to promote full participation for all of Santa Clara County and the general society. The funds donated were able to directly impact 30 lives in the community.

Also that night, the Foundation selected
Positive Coaching Alliance
(PCA) as the beneficiary for the
50/50 Raffle
presented by
Cache Creek Casino Resort
to support their Sports Can Battle Racism program. PCA works to change the culture of youth sports so that every child, regardless of social or economic circumstance, has access to a positive youth sports experience. The $4,810 donation will allow them to conduct programming to support 1,125 youth sports participants through 75 coaches and mentors via three different workshops. PCA Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations Barbara Lamb Hall stated, "We are super excited to be the repeat recipient of the Sharks 50/50 Raffle for Black History Night, the proceeds of which will support our programming for youth and adults around the S.F. Bay Area!"

On February 21, the Sharks Foundation hosted its signature fundraising event
Sampling with the Sharks
. Guests were able to sip varietals from prestigious wineries alongside Sharks players and VIPs all while raising more than $150,000 for the Foundation! Watch the event recap video
here
.

Paying tribute to Patrick Marleau and his jersey retirement night, the Foundation sold commemorative #12 replica banners and hosted a Marleau-themed auction from February 25-27. More than $44,000 was raised to support the Sharks Foundation and their dedication to enhancing the lives of underserved youth and families in the community.

On February 25, the 50/50 Raffle presented by Cache Creek Casino Resort benefited
Techbridge Girls
and their mission of re-engineering the way BIPOC girls from marginalized communities experience STEM. Proceeds of $11,815 will help Techbridge Girls serve 1,390 lives, including 90 out-of-school time educators and 1,300 youth, through programs, workshops, and events.
On February 27, San Jose Sharks Noah Gregor and Kaapo Kahkonen joined S.J. Sharkie at Evergreen Elementary to participate in a
FINancials Junior GM
presented by
Comerica Bank
school visit! The complementary program teaches 2nd and 3rd graders the basics of spending, saving, and money management through the lens of the general manager of a hockey team. The students at Evergreen earned special currency from the players to exchange for prizes by proving their skills in budgeting.

In total, the Sharks Foundation dedicated $20,525 and impacted 2,545 lives this February.