CASL HEART is Cam's Champs

I've been long overdue on a blog post, but that just means there are so many exciting things going on at CASL, even in the "off-season" for many of you. Just like the traditional soccer calendar, CASL's Community Outreach Program is also on winter break. The season will start back up March 1, but that doesn't mean the players and families will take a break from hanging out with each other.

CASL HEART players and their families were invited to a Carolina Hurricanes game recently to be Cam's Champs. This is a particularly close initiative to my heart as I used to work at the Carolina Hurricanes and coordinate these player charity suites. Cam Ward (#30), goalie for the Carolina Hurricanes, is an extremely generous guy who has been an advocate and supporter for athletes with special needs. His charity suite at the Hurricanes is dedicated to giving these athletes the experience they deserve and to bring awareness to all the programs who serve these athletes. The charity suite consists of tickets to a 12-seat luxury suite at the PNC arena (including parking passes and some food!). The athletes who are invited to the free suite night at the 'Canes game received a gift bag, got to meet the Carolina Hurricanes Storm Squad (pictured) and they are featured on the video board during the game. As you can see from these pictures, the group that went the other night had a GREAT time, were decked out in their CASL gear, and had prepared signs in advance to cheer on their new favorite player - Cam Ward! We've got a few other dates lined up where other HEART athletes will get the opportunity to attend a Hurricanes game, so we'll be sure to keep you in the loop with those experiences. Special thanks to the generosity of Cam Ward of the Carolina Hurricanes for providing this opportunity to CASL HEART athletes.

CASL HEART is one aspect of CASL's Community Outreach Program. The focus of HEART is to provide a safe, positive environment for youth with intellectual disabilities to play the game of soccer at no cost to their families. To learn more about CASL's Community Outreach program, click here, or download the spring 2014 HEART flyer here.