This Giving Tuesday, the South Carolina Stingrays are proud to celebrate the transformative impact they are making within their community. The team kicked off the season with a Hurricane Helene Relief Drive, responding to the disastrous aftermath experienced in Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, and parts of South Carolina. The generous contributions from fans enabled the Stingrays to fill an entire box truck with essential supplies, such as water, baby items, and pet care products, which were delivered to Asheville, North Carolina, by Palmetto Paint Specialties Inc.
Over the past two months, the Stingrays have dedicated over 140 hours to various community initiatives. Players actively participated in the Reading Buddies program at local schools and helped out at youth hockey practices at the Carolina Ice Palace during travel breaks. Even while away for games, their mascot, Cool Ray, has engaged with the community by attending more than 20 events, including City of North Charleston’s Night Out and Fish or Treat at the South Carolina Aquarium.
A highlight of their community involvement was a special Stingrays Community Night held in collaboration with the North Charleston Community Resource Center. Players Micah Miller, Kyler Kupka, and Reilly Webb hosted a street hockey game for local kids, providing T-shirts, water bottles, and other fun items. The event was further enriched by the ServiceMaster of Charleston team, who treated families to complimentary ice cream, making for an enjoyable community gathering.
The Stingrays also hosted a free NHL Street Hockey Clinic at the North Charleston Sports Complex, attracting over 20 youngsters. Participants received complimentary NHL Street jerseys and enjoyed a two-hour coaching session led by team and youth coaches, who later surprised the kids with signed jerseys and sticks.
The team’s “Assist of the Game” initiative at home games reinforces their commitment to giving back, with Stingrays owner Todd Halloran donating $1,993 to local nonprofits, reflecting their founding year. Already this season, they have supported several local organizations and look forward to continuing this effort during their Teddy Bear Toss and Undie Sunday events.
This holiday season, the Stingrays are partnering with Blanton and Sons to provide Christmas trees to seven deserving families, helping to create a festive atmosphere and ensure that families can share in the joy of the season.
The South Carolina Stingrays express heartfelt gratitude to their fans for their unwavering support and commitment to making a positive difference in the community. They look forward to the exciting opportunities ahead and the continued collaboration with their neighbors in building a brighter future together.
As a hopeful takeaway, the Stingrays demonstrate that sports teams can play a crucial role in community uplifting, showing how small acts of kindness can genuinely strengthen community ties and bring joy during challenging times.