(Back: Matt Magnuson, Jim Simonet, John Bauman. Front: Randy McGlocklin)
In the entire state of Minnesota, there is only one youth sled hockey team, which enables individuals with disabilities to play hockey using specialized equipment.
Thomson Reuters, Legal, Employees Matt Magnuson, a production coordinator; and Randy McGlocklin, a lead software engineer, volunteer as coaches for the team and recently received noteworthy support from two colleagues.
In sled hockey, players are seated on a sled and use two sticks that are half the length of a regular hockey stick with metal-toothed picks on the end for maneuvering and propulsion. Because the equipment is specialized, it can be quite expensive.
So when Magnuson and McGlocklin’s team was in need of new picks for their sticks, Matt started asking around the manufacturing area on the Eagan campus to see if anyone knew of a place that could make them.
When Matt approached colleague John Bauman, a production machinist, John was quick to point out that the picks could actually be made using scrap metal and machinery in the manufacturing facility. From there, John pulled in colleague Jim Simonet, a project coordinator, who was eager to help.
Using their paid time off to volunteer, John and Jim made 150 picks, which created 75 sticks for the team at no charge.
“It’s all for the kids,” said Bauman and Simonet of their work. “To know that these kids are able to get out on the ice and feel free of their ailments is what matters.”
The team will be able to use the new picks over the next five years. McGlocklin said that in addition to saving the team $2,500, the support John and Jim provided will undoubtedly help the kids play to their full capacity.
“For children with disabilities, there aren’t as many opportunities to join athletic teams,” says Magnuson, who has two children of his own on the team. “With the support of the company and the great people who work here, my kids, and so many others, are able to be part of something through sled hockey.”
Since making the picks, Bauman and Simonet have even offered to help the team with another project: their sleds.
Kudos to John and Jim for helping their colleagues in the community – they are a true testament to our “people make the difference” value.
Posted by Nicole Hansen in:
Community | Company Current |
