Aug. 30 is going to be a long day for Larry Sprung, founder and wealth manager of Mitlin Financial: For the second year in a row, Sprung will be part of the 24-Hour Hockey Helps Marathon.
Players hit the ice at 10 a.m. and remove their skates at the same time the next day, when they’ll join a ceremony to present funds raised to charities being supported by the 12th annual event.
“I’ll be playing and raising funds for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention in memory of my brother-in-law Keith Milano, who we lost to suicide in 2004. Hockey Helps will match my fundraising efforts up to $25,000,” Sprung told ThinkAdvisor via email. “It’s a long and grueling 24 hours, but one of the best events I have ever been a part of and look forward to each year now.”
While it’s the second year for the CFP and his son Zachary to join the 24-hour marathon, Sprung said he “wanted to be involved [in it] for a long time” and met the event’s organizer about two years ago.
“When I shared my story, he immediately offered me the opportunity to participate. It’s been rewarding being involved with this event,” Sprung said. “This event has had an incredible impact on the community and raising awareness about mental health and suicide prevention.”
Since its inception, the marathon has raised over $6 million for local charities in support of Hockey Helps’ mission: “to help individuals struggling with addiction, mental illness and cancer, and to provide support for children and youth facing economic disadvantages, illness or related hardships,” according to its website.
PwC is the event's key sponsor, and the fundraiser also benefits from the involvement of former National Hockey League players Adam Graves, Stephane Matteau, Arron Asham, Benoit Hogue, Brian Mullen and Colton Orr.
For Sprung, the event is a chance “to step on the ice each year and to honor and remember those we have lost, including Keith, as well as those who are struggling,” he said.
Participating in the marathon also brings out community support for the cause, Sprung added.
“People are always asking when and how they can help with this event," he said. "Last year, one of the families we served showed up at the rink at 3 a.m. to root us on and help us get through and motivate us during the wee hours of the morning. I think that exemplifies and embodies the impact it has had.”
For the financial advisor — whose practice is based in Hauppauge, New York — working to prevent suicide and support other community activities is “important, and one of our core values at Mitlin is to be charitable,” he said. “Balancing the work we do as advisors is just as important as the work we do in the community, and it’s simply a matter of finding what works and how you can bring them both together.”
Sprung, who’s played hockey his entire life, adds that “becoming a mental health advocate was a no-brainer. It simply means I give up 24 hours of a three-day weekend, which by the way gives me plenty of time to recover before heading back to the office on Tuesday.”
Those interested in supporting the cause can make a donation online (by selecting “continue as a guest,” entering an email address and then clicking on the “new donation” button).
From left: Jeremy Sprung, Denise Milano Sprung, Zachary Sprung and Larry Sprung at last year's event.
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