The Save of the Day Foundation have selected six non-profit organizations as the recipients of the 2016 grants in education, health and wellness, and fitness.
Beginning with education, the Foundation will award $20,000 to the Utica Zoo to help them renovate their Primate Building and expand their STEAM program to help children learn the importance of animal conservation for generations to come. Also, very personal to Utica, the AK5K will receive $2,500 to help educate teens and young adults about dating and domestic abuse.
Furthermore, in health and wellness, the Save of the Day Foundation will award $15,000 to the KEYS Program to assist children facing life-threatening illnesses with music therapy to brighten their spirits as well as $5,057 to the Thea Bowman House to create a safe playground and environment for children to play and be active outdoors.
The Jr. Comets will also be awarded $25,000 to continue expanding high-level youth hockey in the Mohawk Valley. Lastly, $5,000 worth of sled hockey equipment will be granted to the JROB Foundation to create a sled hockey program along with the Save of the Day Foundation for children with disabilities.
Totaling $72,500, a check will be presented to all of the grant recipients at the Utica Comets game on Friday, April 1 at the Utica Memorial Auditorium.
The Comets “Save of the Day” Foundation is committed to promoting the needs of youth throughout the Mohawk Valley and offer contributions to other 501C3 organizations that have been authorized by the board of directors to support. The Foundation is committed to raising funds annually through special events, and direct fundraising activities to benefit the Mohawk Valley. Throughout the past decade the Rob Esche “Save of the Day” Foundation has donated over a million dollars for children facing life-threatening illnesses and their families as well as 501c3 organizations supporting education, health and wellness, and fitness in the Mohawk Valley. The save of the Day Foundation is proud to partner with the Utica Comets to further raise money for those in need through various efforts that have become common within professional hockey.