KINNELON BOROUGH, N.J. (Morris County) — A local nonprofit stepped in to help a high school hockey player continue his season after a post-Christmas house fire destroyed his family’s home in Kinnelon.
Skate It Forward Inc., a Haskell-based charity founded by Al and Dawn Magie, provided a complete set of new hockey equipment to Caden Lombardo, a varsity player whose family of five lost their home in a fire Saturday, Dec. 27, on Caitlin Court in Kinnelon Borough.
Earlier this week, Skate It Forward Chief Financial Officer Don O’Neill joined Lombardo, several of his teammates and KJS United head coach Jeff Myhren at the Pure Hockey store in Fairfield, where Lombardo was outfitted with new skates, pads, a helmet and other essential gear. The equipment was purchased through donations to the nonprofit.
“Losing your home and everything in it is absolutely devastating, especially for a young athlete in the middle of his senior varsity season,” O’Neill said. “Hockey isn’t just a sport for these kids – it’s their outlet, their community, and something that gives them a sense of normalcy. Being able to get back on the ice quickly, doing what he loves alongside his teammates, is an important step in helping him and his family begin to move forward.”
With the new equipment, Lombardo returned to the ice with KJS United, the reigning New Jersey state champion co-op team. He played in both of the team’s games at Ice Vault Arena this week and scored the first goal in an 11-1 victory over Ramsey.
Skate It Forward was founded to help young athletes facing unexpected hardship remain connected to their sport while also teaching the importance of giving back. Through its programs, the organization encourages athletes to support others in need and to one day “skate it forward” by extending the same generosity they once received.
