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in any way they could. Buffalo Sabres captain Jack Eichel purchased 5,000 PPE masks from Bauer that were distributed to various hospitals throughout Western New York. "I think sports is always a great way to rally people around a cry, and I'm hopeful the things people are doing will bring another angle to it," Messier said. "We've asked our athletes to get onboard to tell the story of what Bauer is doing and call on other compa- nies to do the same." Over in Oxford, Mich., Vaughn Custom Sports has built a reputation for manufacturing high quality goalie gear, including catching gloves, blockers, leg pads, pants, chest protectors and sticks, that are used by profession- al and amateur goalies throughout the world. With the help of a local "Saving Business, Saving Lives" grant, the company shifted gears and began producing thousands of high quality protective gowns, masks and face shields a week. The grant allowed Vaughn to bring back employees and dramatically increase production. After months of hockey on hold, rinks are slowly reopening and the NHL is preparing to finish the season. Only then will the names of equipment com- panies that have long been synonymous with safety and performance be back in the spotlight, keeping players of all ages safe and performing at their best. But elsewhere, these brand names will mean so much more to unsung heroes waging a war that everyone hopes will soon be won. "From our CEO all the way down, it has always been, 'How can we help?'" Dalzell said. "This is an initiative that is not just about the people, it's about the culture and the environment of what we're in. "You find a different gear as a human to go out and say, 'what can we do and how do we support others who are doing so much?" P PHOTO COURTESY OF Mike and Rachel Bennett 32 // AUGUST 2020 USAHOCKEYMAGAZINE.COM HOCKEY IS ALL ABOUT COMMUNITY. In a time of social distancing it can be easy to forget that, especially with the coronavirus pandemic cancelling sports around the world. While Covid-19 is certainly a global issue, the effects hit hardest at the local level. Rachel and Mike Bennett know that firsthand. Like most small business owners, they watched their livelihood disappear when their pro shop at The Rinx in Hauppauge, N.Y., temporarily closed. Prior to the pan- demic, Mike had capitalized on his background in art and designed a collection of hockey apparel called Long Island Hockey Co. Fortunately, they had also created an online store in November —a small blessing in dis- guise once their brick and mortar store shuttered. But instead of wallowing over their struggles, the Bennetts chose to act. It started with buying groceries for their neighbors. But the couple quickly realized that spending a cou- ple hundred dollars at the store was merely a bandage over a larger wound in their community. "It wasn't sustainable," Rachel said. "It was less about what specifically aligned with our hockey brand and more about what's happening in our community and how we can utilize our unique resources to help." The Bennetts chose to support Long Island Harvest through Feeding America. They wanted an organization that was supporting those affected by food insecurity long before coronavirus and that would be set up to support the community after. They turned to their customers, and their clothing brand, to generate funds. "It gave people an opportunity to help even though they didn't know how," Rachel said. "People get a hat out of it but they also know when they bought that hat, X amount of meals were donated to someone in their neighborhood." The couple originally sold about 75 hats, which equated to 3,750 meals. For the Bennetts, it was the community they'd created that was most impactful. They heard from people who con- nected over the fundraiser, including one customer who bought 10 hats to donate to the Peconic Hockey Foundation, a local non-profit that raises money to provide hockey for low-income families. The Bennetts have been overwhelmed by the local support, even at a time when people are grappling with their own personal struggles. "We're a small, family-owned business and we are only successful because of our community," Rachel said. "It's surreal to see that so many peo- ple jumped on board," Mike echoed. "At the end of the day, when everyone feels so isolated, we're coming togeth- er for the greater good." – Alyssa Hertel Frontline medical workers give a big "thumbs up" to hockey equipment companies for their generosity during the coronavirus pandemic. Long Island Hockey Co., founders Rachel and Mike Bennett have found new ways to give back to the community. HATS OFF TO THE HOCKEY COMMUNITY