Our Mission

The National Hockey League Officials Association has a charitable organization called "Zebras Care"

Once again this season, our Zebras Care Foundation is back and is stronger than ever!

In our quest to bring joy to children across North America and to grow the great game of hockey, the Zebras Care charity was formed in the hopes of providing the opportunity for underprivileged and sick children to visit with many of our NHLOA members and to attend a National Hockey League game in person.

Since its creation in 2007, hundreds of kids have now enjoyed the pre-game officials dressing room visits where they got to meet the game’s on-ice officials and spend some quality time with them. From asking all their rule’s questions or general hockey questions, learning the behind the scenes preparation that the officials go through every game, having the chance to step on the ice in some cases (some lucky kids even got the chance to sit in the penalty box), these visits are always a great moment for both the kids and the officials.

In addition to the pre-game dressing room visits, NHLOA members have also been part of hospitals visits. In 2009, The Zebras Care Foundation was proud to be a sponsor of the Infusion Centre at the Buffalo Women's and Children's Hospital. The Infusion Centre is a room where children go to receive many types of infusions, ranging from blood dialysis to chemo treatments. These treatments can last anywhere from one to eight hours. Zebras Care, with help from singer and NHLOA friend John McDerrmott, purchased individual gaming systems for the centre which are used by the children during their treatments. More recentely, we supplied several iPads to the Sheldon Kennedy Child Advocacy Centre, located in Calgary, Alberta. This innovative centre offers hope, help and healing to children, youth and families impacted by child abuse.

Zebras Care would like to thank CCM for their generous donation of custom referee jerseys that are given to the kids during the dressing room visits. These create a unique keepsake for the kids and their families to look back at to remember the experience. As well, special thanks to the Community Relations departments from the teams that help in the coordination of the visits. Finally, a big thanks to Tim Hortons for their involvement this season.

Zebras Care Committee

• TJ Luxmore

If you are interested in reaching out to the Zebras Care NHLOA Program please do so at: zebrascare@nhlofficials.com The Zebras Care program is always looking for new partnerships and ways to help the community, especially towards hockey officials families. If you would like to associate with the program, donate to the program or if you know someone that could beneficiate from this program, please reach out to us so that we can help and touch as many people that we can. Thank you!