CHARACTER COUNTS

Coyotes to host Skatin’ for Leighton event Sunday at Phoenix Raceway

Dec 26, 2021, 10:01 AM | Updated: Jan 28, 2022, 2:54 pm

The Arizona Coyotes are hosting the Skatin’ for Leighton charity event presented by Phoenix Children’s Hospital on Sunday at Phoenix Raceway.

The event will benefit the Leighton Accardo Memorial Fund, which provides financial assistance to girls in the Valley who want to play hockey.

Accardo was a patient at Phoenix Children’s and a big Coyotes fan who signed an honorary one-day contract with the team before its “Hockey Fights Cancer” game in 2019.

She died in November of 2020 of cancer, and the Coyotes have since put her in their Ring of Honor with her hockey number, 49.

“Leighton was a very special person, and we were all inspired by her incredible strength, courage and passion for hockey and life,” Coyotes president & CEO Xavier A. Gutierrez said in a press release. “We were honored to induct her into our Ring of Honor last year and this event will continue to help keep her memory alive.”

The goal for the event is to reach $149,000 to benefit the fund, according to the release.

Fans six years of age or older can register to skate, walk or run on the track and gain access to other festivities on the infield.

It costs $49 to go onto the racetrack, and that deal includes a ticket to a Coyotes game and to the NASCAR Xfinity Series race on March 12.

General admission tickets for infield festivities costs $20.

The inaugural Skatin’ for Leighton event was held last February.

The 2022 event will run from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and fans can register online.

Character Counts

Gilbert Christian's Owen Fermoyle...

Character Counts

Gilbert Christian’s Owen Fermoyle sees his impact in the community

Gilbert Christian senior Owen Fermoyle has started his own nonprofit and gotten politically active to help improve his community.

21 days ago

Horizon Honors swimmer Kalyn McLeod....

Character Counts

Horizon Honors’ Kalyn McLeod walks the walk when it comes to volunteering for others

Kalyn McLeod cared for others as an elementary school student, so much so that it frustrated her that volunteer opportunities had an age minimum. So she did something about it.

1 month ago

Corona del Sol junior Charlotte Gould in front of Phoenix Children's....

Character Counts

Corona del Sol junior Charlotte Gould advocates for children needing facial surgery

Charlotte Gould's own experience of being born with a cleft lip and palate sparked her path of giving back. She is a finalist for the Arizona Sports Character Counts Scholarship, presented by Parker & Sons.

1 month ago

Arizona State QB Sam Leavitt...

Kevin Zimmerman

Sam Leavitt giving 100% of merchandise royalties back to ASU NIL collective

Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt is giving 100% of his royalties from merchandise sales back to ASU football's NIL collective.

2 months ago

Head coach Kenny Dillingham of the Arizona State Sun Devils encourages his team before a game again...

Kevin Zimmerman

Kenny Dillingham has raked in bonuses: Here’s why he gave a huge chunk to ASU staff

ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham has raked in nearly $1 million in bonuses for the Sun Devils' 2024 season. He gifted a chunk to his staff.

2 months ago

Caden Becker, Senior, Paradise Valley HS...

Character Counts

Paradise Valley’s Caden Becker transforms football adversity into commitment to healthcare

Paradise Valley High School senior Caden Becker uses past adversity on the gridiron to make a difference in the medical field.

2 months ago

Coyotes to host Skatin’ for Leighton event Sunday at Phoenix Raceway