The Redwing Hockey Club began presenting the Jo & Debbie Feldman Volunteer of the Year Award in 2017. The award recognizes a volunteer who provides significant, heartfelt service, is a role model for other volunteers, and demonstrates loyalty to the Redwing Hockey Club.
Before we get to this year’s recipient, we would like to thank everyone who contributed their efforts this year. Those who assisted us with spirit wear, Senior Night, Recruit Day, Toys For Tots, and all of the other things that make our club go, we couldn’t do this without all of you. Each and every one of you should be proud to have contributed to our club’s success.
Most all of you know this year’s winner’s work; however, if you have not attended a Benet Redwing home game, you may not have ever seen the person behind our music production. For two seasons Mari DiBenedetto has taken her spot in the scorekeepers' box to provide music during pre-game, warm-ups, game breaks, and intermissions. It is not only the team that her son, Cristiano, plays for that she provides this service. On Saturdays, Mari is in the box for JV and Varsity Red games and on the five or six occasions during the season that all three of our teams play on the same day Mari is there for each game.
Having worked the clock while Mari is in the box, I can tell you that she sees very little of the action on the ice. There are not many people with the heart to forego the chance to sit and watch their son or daughter participate in order to do something extra for the club. We’ve all been at rinks where music is absent and the game just doesn’t seem the same. Mari’s efforts make out viewing experience and the kids’ game-day experience exponentially better.
Thank you Mari for being so selfless, You’ve certainly earned the 2020 Feldman Award!