It's a little strange to set this page up in the midst of trying to understand what has just happened in Haiti. That is to say, it's hard to put into words what it might mean to raise money for the Griffins Youth Foundation, while a country lies crumbling just below the Florida coast.

Yet, having been involved now with the Griffins Youth Foundation for three years, I know that there are kids in this country, in this city, who need help too. And thanks to the work of the Foundation each week hundreds of them get to play hockey for free. Kids who otherwise would not have access to a sport I love get a practice and a game every week with no charge for anything: ice time, equipment, even access to my stellar coaching!

So, I'm sending a check this week to an agency I know that does good work in Haiti. And I'll be heading to hockey practice to teach some kids about a great game, one I still play and one I hope my players will play for many years to come. Beyond that the lessons our players learn on and off the ice will, I hope, have a lasting impact on them, also for years to come.

On January 30 my son, Lee, and I will work at the Great Skate Winterfest, and the next day we will skate at the Grea Skate, a 24-hour event. We'll probably drag Gina along too, and maybe even Sue. We're not promising to skate for 24 hours or even to skate a certain numberof laps (the rink is pretty small), but we'll be out there working on behalf of the Youth Foundation. If you'd like to support us, donating through this Web site is pretty easy and efficient. If you're not able to do so that's okay too. I'll take some pics that day and share them on my Facebook page -- www.facebook.com/phildehaan -- to give you a taste of what the event is all about. Until then ...

Phil