As part of the Vision 2020 Community Pride & Spirit committee’s efforts to encourage volunteer service in 2015, this column will highlight the ways that the Austin Bruins hockey teams gives back to the community.

Many people know of the Bruins’ involvement with Paint the Rink Pink to raise money for the Hormel Institute’s breast cancer research. Owner Craig Patrick came to the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau back in 2011 with the idea of creating a community event tied to one of the team’s February games. After great initial success, Paint the Rink Pink evolved into Paint the Town Pink. The Bruins fundraising alone has been over $150,000 for the Hormel Institute since 2011.

This year, the Bruins auctioned off about 25 jerseys at the Feb. 7 game and raised over $26,000 for the Hormel Institute.

The Austin Bruins players also volunteer all year long. Team members present “healthy habits” curriculum on nutrition and exercise to the elementary and intermediate schools each year. They also read to students at some schools and present anti-bullying curriculum as well.

The Austin Bruins support local nonprofits by appearing at events. For example, the team will appear at the upcoming spaghetti dinner for the Mower County Humane Society. Team members have also served as tuxedo models at the Hormel Historic Home Austin Wedding Showcase event.

This winter, the Austin Bruins have become connected to the Peer Power Partner mentoring program at Holton and Ellis schools. Peer Power Partners is a program that matches students with developmental disabilities to same-age peers. The peers receive training on disabilities and specific strategies to support students with special needs. Then all the students interact with a variety of social opportunities throughout the year. The program provides positive experiences connecting with others and produces a long-term reduction in bullying. With the motto, “We’re Better Together,” all students focus on the shared desire to have friends and be included.

Sixty Peer Power Partners students, grades 5-8, attended an Austin Bruins game on Jan. 28. The group received a warm welcome from the Bruins including special recognition from the emcee and prizes donated by local businesses. The national anthem was sung by about 20 of the students.

This type of outing gives students with special needs a chance to experience a fun and casual night out with peers, something that often wouldn’t happen without the supports that the Peer Power Partners program provides. Peer mentors get a chance to use their skills to draw others into a conversation or activity. Another way peer mentors support mentees is by helping accommodate special needs. For example, if a student with Autism Spectrum Disorder becomes overwhelmed by the loud noise at the game, a mentor can identify the signs and offer to take the mentee out to the lobby for a break.

The Austin Bruins team is continuing to build connections with Peer Power Partners and players will start attending Peer Power Partner events at Holton and Ellis this spring. Peer Power Partners is a collaboration of the Parenting Resource Center, Austin Public Schools and Vision 2020 Community Pride and Spirit.

Do you know an individual or group that gives back to Austin in a unique or remarkable way? Let us know so that we can share the story. During 2015, we will continue to spotlight volunteers and encourage service with the Keep the Spirit Alive challenge. The challenge is simple with no paperwork or registration. Just make a commitment to do 24 hours of volunteer service, at the activity and location of your choice, in 2015. For ideas and more information, go to www.vision2020austin.com/spirit. Or find us on Facebook at “Spread the Spirit in Austin MN.”