Blackhawks donate equipment for new Lambs Farm floor hockey team
Like kids in a candy store, dozens of Lambs Farm residents grabbed Chicago Blackhawks hockey sticks, pucks and other gear donated by the team Wednesday to launch the facility's newest Special Olympics sport - floor hockey.
Sporting jersies of their favorite Chicago teams, the residents eagerly awaited the Blackhawks' arrival to get a few hockey playing tips.
But neither Blackhawks players nor their mascot, Tommy Hawk, could make it because the team started training Saturday and the mascot fell ill, officials said.
"In the future, we'll bring out either Tommy Hawk, a player or a coach and do a demonstration," said Annie Camins, Blackhawks director of youth hockey.
Camins said the Blackhawks give street hockey demonstrations at 40 sites throughout Illinois, and hope to add Lambs Farm to the list.
The nonprofit organization serves 250 adults with developmental disabilities at its campus near Libertyville, and in off-site housing.
The donated Blackhawks equipment, including nets and goalie gear, will be used by residents who are preparing for their first Special Olympics regional floor hockey competition Nov. 15, said Jackie Rachev, Lambs Farm spokeswoman.
"We cannot use them (hockey sticks and pucks) during the game but we can use them for practice and for drills," Rachev said. "The goalie equipment is up to Special Olympics standards and the nets are regulation. Those will definitely be used in competition."
More than 100 Lambs Farm residents participate annually in nine Special Olympics sports, including snowshoeing, tennis, bocce ball, track and field, swimming, bowling, and golf. Floor hockey is the only team sport besides basketball.
Resident Linda Schuh, 47, said she's excited about participating in the individual stick handling competition.
"It's not running, it's just skills," she said. "And, it's fun to do."
The Blackhawks helped pay a portion of the cost to outfit Lambs Farm's roughly 20-member floor hockey team. The rest will be funded through community donations, said Kreig Alm, Lambs Farm recreation manager.