Page 19 - Indulge February/March 2015
P. 19
Desiree Stortini, wife of Phantoms you have to give to that community.’ ” Besides, he says, “It’s fun to put
Center Zack Stortini, says the And, like their father, the Brooks smiles on people’s faces. That’s why
Phantoms Family wanted to give back we got into sports; I love watching the
to the community, in part because brothers try to live by example. smiles on peoples’ faces.”
the Lehigh Valley has made them all “Everyone in our organization runs
feel welcome. under the motto of ‘community first.’ ” FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015 • INDULGE | 19
“Everyone has been so friendly,” As part of that motto, Brooks
she says, “this already feels like a says, the Phantoms Charities just
second home. So we want to make completed the process of becoming
sure that at the games it’s not just an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) nonprofit
about taking [ticket money], but organization. The group’s goal is to
about giving back.” focus on youth, health and fitness.
Because the team is in a new In keeping with that theme,
facility, she says, “it’s been a unique Phantoms mascot Melvin has been
opportunity; there’s no precedent. We visiting elementary schools to promote
can start some traditions that the a fitness program called G.O.A.L. (Get
fans can look forward to every year.” Out and Live). Brooks says it’s modeled
after Let’s Move! — an initiative
Stortini says the group doesn’t developed by first lady Michelle Obama
have any plans set in stone for 2015 to curb childhood obesity.
just yet, but is considering helping
animal shelters and holding in-game Another Phantoms’ effort is
fundraisers. “Maybe a puck surprise, guaranteed to induce the warm
where if a puck is signed in a special and fuzzies.
ink it comes with a prize.”
“We pick a game around the
Coté says part of their focus will holidays and call it a Teddy Bear
be helping chronically ill children. Toss,” Brooks says. “We encourage
people to bring a teddy bear to the
“A few ideas we have for the future game, and after the Phantoms score
are to do a bedroom/game room their first goal, people throw their
makeover … and have some of the bears on the ice.”
players at the reveal. We will also
be sewing colorful pillowcases for Almost 2,000 bears were
hospitalized children. It’s a way to collected at the Dec. 6 game against
brighten up their hospital bed — but the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, he says.
most importantly, their spirits.”
“The team gets really excited for
Although they’re calling this. Each of the players wants to be
themselves the Phantoms Family, the one who scores first.” That honor
the women said that at the moment, went to right-winger Brett Hextall; the
everything is being done under the bears went to Valley Youth House.
Phantoms Charities umbrella. Both
say the support they’ve gotten from Brooks says he’s grateful the players’
the team and its owners has been wives and girlfriends have embraced the
encouraging. team’s community efforts.
“It’s been from the top down,” “Ashley [Coté], Linda [Murray, wife
Stortini says. “[Owners] Jim and Rob of head coach Terry Murray] and Dez
Brooks have really gone above and [Stortini] called me this summer and
beyond ... I’ve never seen this level of asked about some of the things they
support at the AHL level.” could get involved with. Coaches and
players travel from city to city, but
Rob Brooks credits his father — no one thinks about the wives and
Murrysville, Westmoreland County girlfriends. It takes special people to
mayor Robert Brooks Sr. — for want to volunteer.”
instilling him and his brother with a
sense of charity. Charity, Brooks says, comes from
within. “I think deep down you have
“My father always said to us, ‘If to believe in it; you have to love it.
you want to live in a great community, If you love doing something you’re
going to be passionate about it.”
Center Zack Stortini, says the And, like their father, the Brooks smiles on people’s faces. That’s why
Phantoms Family wanted to give back we got into sports; I love watching the
to the community, in part because brothers try to live by example. smiles on peoples’ faces.”
the Lehigh Valley has made them all “Everyone in our organization runs
feel welcome. under the motto of ‘community first.’ ” FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015 • INDULGE | 19
“Everyone has been so friendly,” As part of that motto, Brooks
she says, “this already feels like a says, the Phantoms Charities just
second home. So we want to make completed the process of becoming
sure that at the games it’s not just an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) nonprofit
about taking [ticket money], but organization. The group’s goal is to
about giving back.” focus on youth, health and fitness.
Because the team is in a new In keeping with that theme,
facility, she says, “it’s been a unique Phantoms mascot Melvin has been
opportunity; there’s no precedent. We visiting elementary schools to promote
can start some traditions that the a fitness program called G.O.A.L. (Get
fans can look forward to every year.” Out and Live). Brooks says it’s modeled
after Let’s Move! — an initiative
Stortini says the group doesn’t developed by first lady Michelle Obama
have any plans set in stone for 2015 to curb childhood obesity.
just yet, but is considering helping
animal shelters and holding in-game Another Phantoms’ effort is
fundraisers. “Maybe a puck surprise, guaranteed to induce the warm
where if a puck is signed in a special and fuzzies.
ink it comes with a prize.”
“We pick a game around the
Coté says part of their focus will holidays and call it a Teddy Bear
be helping chronically ill children. Toss,” Brooks says. “We encourage
people to bring a teddy bear to the
“A few ideas we have for the future game, and after the Phantoms score
are to do a bedroom/game room their first goal, people throw their
makeover … and have some of the bears on the ice.”
players at the reveal. We will also
be sewing colorful pillowcases for Almost 2,000 bears were
hospitalized children. It’s a way to collected at the Dec. 6 game against
brighten up their hospital bed — but the Bridgeport Sound Tigers, he says.
most importantly, their spirits.”
“The team gets really excited for
Although they’re calling this. Each of the players wants to be
themselves the Phantoms Family, the one who scores first.” That honor
the women said that at the moment, went to right-winger Brett Hextall; the
everything is being done under the bears went to Valley Youth House.
Phantoms Charities umbrella. Both
say the support they’ve gotten from Brooks says he’s grateful the players’
the team and its owners has been wives and girlfriends have embraced the
encouraging. team’s community efforts.
“It’s been from the top down,” “Ashley [Coté], Linda [Murray, wife
Stortini says. “[Owners] Jim and Rob of head coach Terry Murray] and Dez
Brooks have really gone above and [Stortini] called me this summer and
beyond ... I’ve never seen this level of asked about some of the things they
support at the AHL level.” could get involved with. Coaches and
players travel from city to city, but
Rob Brooks credits his father — no one thinks about the wives and
Murrysville, Westmoreland County girlfriends. It takes special people to
mayor Robert Brooks Sr. — for want to volunteer.”
instilling him and his brother with a
sense of charity. Charity, Brooks says, comes from
within. “I think deep down you have
“My father always said to us, ‘If to believe in it; you have to love it.
you want to live in a great community, If you love doing something you’re
going to be passionate about it.”
