Player of the Month
As we strive to achieve our mission, each month Sporting Generosity will identify an individual that has meant more to the sports world than his or her achievements on the court, ice, or field. This individual will have given back to the community by providing hope to a sick child, financial assistance to an underprivileged youth, or by becoming an advocate for a specific cause. These athletes are people who give back not out of obligation, but out of conviction in its necessity. With that said, please congratulate our April, 2011 Player of the Month.
Jarome Iginla (April, 2011)
Jarome Iginla, born on July 1st, 1977, is a professional hockey player for the Calgary Flames. In this day of modern free agency, where few individuals spend their entire careers with one team, Jarome has played his entire 15 year career for the Flames. Jarome is Calgary's all time leader in goals, points, and games played. In the 2001-2002 season, Jamore was voted the NHL's most valuable player, a year later he led the Canadian national hockey team to the gold medal in the 2002 Winter Olympics, and in 2003-2004 he led the Flames to the Stanley Cup Finals. But like all the athletes featured as Sporting Generosity's player of the month, Jarome's success far surpasses what he's accomplished on the ice.
In 2002, Iginla founded the Jarome Iginla Hockey School, renamed in 2008 the Jarome Iginla/Cassie Campbell Hockey School. The school was created by Iginla as a way to support grassroots hockey while raising funds for charitable causes. Each year, this non profit school raises funds for various local and international organizations. Since its inception, the school has raised and distributed over $130,000 to various organizations such as the Ronald McDonald House, Doctors Without Borders, the Diabetes Association, amongst other charitable causes.
Additionally, dating all the way back to the year 2000, Jarome has been an athlete ambassador for KidSport. KidSport is a non-profit whose mission is to help give all kids the opportunity to experience the positive benefits of organized sports by eliminating the financial barriers that prevent them from getting the opportunities to allow them to be involved. By donating $2,000 for every goal he scores, Jarome has directed over $500,000 to the program since the its inception, benefiting children both locally and nationally.
In addition to taking part in his own community initiatives, Jarome is extremely active in the Calgary Flames' community relations program. Jarome has led the Flames' wheelchair hockey game at the Alberta Children's Hospital. He also participates and contributes to the success of other Flames' events such as the celebrity charity golf tournament, the charity poker tournament, and the Danone Superskills competition, all of which raise significant dollars for the Flames' Dream Fund.
When discussing why he's chosen to not only be involved in many of the Flames' community events, but to be a leader in regards to his own charitable endeavors, Jarome said, "it has truly been a lot of fun. Hopefully the kids learned a bit about hockey while raising a bit of money along the way, for a wonderful cause."
Over the course of Jarome's career he has been nominated for several humanitarian and community service awards. Additionally, he has previously been awarded the NHL Foundation Award for community service, the Most Assists for Children Award, the Ralphy T. Scurfied Award as well as the J.R. McCaig Award.
Jarome's highest off the ice accolades came in 2004 when he was named the recipient of the King Clancy Memorial Trophy. This trophy is awarded annually to the NHL player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and who has made a significant humanitarian contribution to the community. Although no player has ever won it twice, Jarome was also nominated for the award in 2001 as well as for this current year, 2011.
Congratulations to Jarome Iginla for being named Sporting Generosity's Player of the Month.
The Babac'Ards Foundation, founded by Boris Diaw of the Charlotte Bobcats, has a mission of improving the lives of Senegalese children. They are currently fundraising to open a women's training facility. Please click here for more information.
Every day, hundreds of athletes and organizations are showing a tremendous amount of generosity to their community. Here at SG, we can’t possibly know about everything taking place. Please, if you are or know of a professional athlete or organization that has used sport to make our world a better place, please click here to share your or their story.
Sporting Generosity would like to recognize Jarome Iginla of the Calgary Flames for his outstanding achievements. Please Click here for more details.