Checking For Charity will host 4th Annual hockey tournament at Skate Zones

August 17-19, 2012, Checking For Charity, commonly known as CFC, will host its 4^th annual hockey tournament in southern NJ. CFC is a non-profit organization that is committed to raising money to charities through professional and competitive hockey tournaments. CFC will have the 4^th tournament at the Flyers Skate Zone facilities located in Voorhees and Pennsauken.

CFC began with a group of hockey players and friends that would play together on Sunday mornings. CFC President, Mr. Matt Bader, wanted to build a non-profit organization that would benefit various charities and understood how the network of hockey could be used to reach out. CFC is a tournament that allows each team involved to represent a charity of their choice. At the conclusion of each annual CFC tournament, every charity receives a portion of the proceeds raised during the event. The portions are determined and distributed based on how the teams place throughout the weekend-long tournament.

In the first year, CFC had eight teams competing to represent different charities, and over $10,000 was raised for the charities involved. Last year during the third annual event, CFC raised over $30,000 for even more charities. Mr. Ed Gorleski is a CFC board member and the Director of Charitable and Volunteer Relations. Gorleski explained that the philosophy of CFC can be summarized in the motto, “Our Goal is to Assist.” He said, “We believe that by leveraging our large network of friends, family and fellow hockey players, we can reach and help a number of other local and national non-profit organizations.”

Some of the charities that have been represented by teams to receive donations include the Pre-Eclampsia Foundation, the United Way, Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation, the Alicia Rose Victorious Foundation, Canine Partners for Life, Defending the Blue Line, and Homes for Our Troops. As the tournament continues to grow each year, sponsorships are key to the funding and support of the organization, while also helping to market the event as well. Some of the sponsorships and partners of CFC include Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation, Evolving Athletes, Selects Hockey, Modell’s Sporting Goods, P.J. Whelihans, and Holman Automotive.

CFC has plans to grow the charity tournament locations by initiating a west coast branch in the Oregon market. The west coast CFC will have its inaugural tournament September 7-9, 2012. Eventually, CFC hopes to grow more tournament locations nationwide as they use competitive hockey to raise even more money for charities.

The 4^th annual CFC hockey tournament will take place at the Voorhees and Pennsauken Flyers Skate Zone locations the weekend of August 17-19, 2012. There will be competitive hockey to watch for free, merchandise available for purchase, raffle tickets and prizes, as well as a beef and beer promotional event with appearances to help raise awareness and funds for the event.

For more information, to enter a team, become a sponsor, or become a volunteer and help, log onto the website: http://www.checkingforcharity.com