As a freshman at Randolph High School, Sharkey has been passionate about ice hockey since he was four years old. When he learned about the challenges underprivileged kids face when it comes to accessing hockey equipment due to its high costs, he wanted to help. He understood that he got the chance to play a sport he loves for over a decade, but others have been hoping to play that same sport for a long time. For his Independent Service Project as a Young Ambassador, Sharkey decided to collect used and new hockey equipment to give more kids the chance to experience the sport they love.Sharkey reached out to his hockey team, friends, and local community members to collect equipment. He also set up collection bins at local hockey arenas along with signs to spread the word about his mission. The result was favorable, and Sharkey was able to collect a total of 320 pieces of equipment. The collection included 60 pairs of skates, 50 jerseys, 30 pairs of pants, 30 pairs of knee pads, 27 shoulder pads, 27 pairs of socks, 25 pairs of gloves, 14 pairs of elbow pads, 10 helmets, 10 pairs of pant shells, 10 sticks, 10 pairs of skate guards, 9 pairs of laces, and 5 helmet cages. Proceeds from this initiative were donated to the Iron Bound Recreation Center in Newark, NJ.
Sharkey is thankful that his involvement with the Henrik Lundqvist Foundation allowed him to make a meaningful impact. His dedication towards collecting different sizes and types of equipment is a reminder of how the spirit of giving back is what makes a difference.
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