Wissahickon Ice Hockey Goaltender Raises Money with Shutouts

Jordan Fromm recently completed another season as the goaltender for the Wissahickon Middle School Ice Hockey Team.  However, his final stats provide victories of a different kind.

Fromm began a campaign a year ago to raise money with his shutouts.  For every game opponents were kept off the scoreboard, Fromm raises money for a pair of youth-related charities.  Donations go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation. 

Last year, Fromm was offered the chance to be rewarded for each shutout by his father and a friend.  However, the eighth-grade goalie decided to reward those who are in greater need of help.

“It feels really good,” said Jordan.  “It feels really rewarding to know that something that just started as an idea has really grown and I’ve been able to reach out to the organizations that I play for.”

Jordan’s father, Lou, is gushing with pride over his son’s decision to put the needs of others over his own at such a young age.

“I’m very proud of the decision he made,” Lou said.  “He was originally given the opportunity to earn money for himself from a friend of ours.  He decided he wanted to give the money to charity.  There is a lot of pride involved.”

The Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation was created to build character and academic skills for inner-city children.  Word of Jordan’s contributions reached Snider and Jordan had the opportunity to meet the Flyers’ owner.

“That was an amazing experience,” Jordan said.  “It was one of those things that comes once in a lifetime.  He was so nice to me and he welcomed me in.  He made it a really nice experience.”

The charity raised $5,000 last season for Jordan’s eight shutouts.  This past winter, Jordan earned three shutouts but has still amassed over $10,000.  People are donating on their own even if Jordan is unable to keep the opponents off the scoreboard.

Jordan is a diehard Flyers’ fan whose fascination with hockey began at an early age.  It was also at an early age when Jordan decided to give goaltending a try.

“My dad came home from work one day,” said Jordan.  “I was wearing one of those retro white goalie masks that Bernie Parent wore.  I had a blocker and a Tasmanian Devil baseball glove.  I had Buzz Lightyear slippers and soccer shin pads.  I told him to throw tennis balls at me, so that’s how it started.”

The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants wishes for children with life-threatening medical conditions.  Jordan has had the opportunity to see first-hand where the money he’s raised is going.

“I presented my check to them last year,” Jordan said.  “They gave me a paper that described the person I was giving money to.  Her name is Chloe and she was going to Disney World and my money funded the whole trip.  It was really amazing to know what my money was going towards and how it was helping other kids.”

Jordan’s hard work and generous heart have inspired many people throughout the area.  His father is hoping Jordan will set an example to other young men and women about the importance of giving.

“You want the youth of today to understand what it’s like not to be entitled,” Lou said.  “There is so much satisfaction in helping out.  There is so much satisfaction that people can learn by doing this type of work than just sitting in front of the TV.  There’s a lot of pride and confidence that can grow inside a kid.  The little things they can do can mean so much to other people.”

The Wissahickon Middle School team reached the league finals this past winter.  It was a successful season on the ice, but the work of Jordan Fromm is paying off in a more important way off the ice.

“I tried to reach out,” said Jordan.  “In the second year, people knew about it and knew where their money was going towards.  It’s really cool to see how it’s grown.”

For more information about Jordan’s charity, Shutouts For Kids, go to www.shutoutsforkids.org.