Like everything else in 2020, things are different this year for the Shannon O'Hara Foundation. We are sending out our yearly letter to our donors, but without a specific hard request for donations. The foundation is financially healthy, and we recognize that this has bene an incredibly difficult year for people and businesses that have always supported us. We will weather this storm.
It is highly unlikely that we will be at Graham Arena in January as we normally are for various hockey events, including the Shannon Cup youth hockey tournament. Even if there's a way to hold the tournament itself by late January, we don't anticipate that it will be safe to be in the arena selling our merchandise and mingling with teams. We will patiently wait for better days ahead, and plan to return in 2022.
High school winter sports are also a question mark right now. We feel for these student athletes who are missing out on making memories. We will miss the chances to watch kids play the sport that Shannon loved so much.
One thing that won't change is the SOF scholarship. The pandemic won't stop us from supporting higher education and local youth by giving out scholarships again in 2021.
Today, I took the time to look back at our scholarship winners. I needed the reminder of something good.
If you know a Rochester HS senior who played youth hockey, encourage them to apply. The application is available on the Shannon O'Hara Foundation website. Applications are due Jan. 10th.
Stay safe and be well, everyone.
