Brayden Sternklar, Congregation Shaare Emeth

Brayden Sternklar has always had a passion for hockey. He has been part of the St Louis Rockets hockey club since age 5. So, it was only natural that he took that passion and put it into his mitzvah project. 

Son of Dori and Jeff Sternklar of Chesterfield, Brayden volunteered for the Gateway Locomotives, a hockey program for children and adults who are developmentally challenged. For six months, Brayden would meet the Locomotives at the St Louis Mills hockey arena on Sunday afternoons, where he helped the children in the program get dressed and tie their skates. He was always available to help those who needed assistance with their equipment or with words of encouragement. 

This program is about the students achieving their own goals on their own schedule. It teaches them how to skate, hold a stick, make a pass, take a shot, make a save and learn teamwork.  Above all, it helps them gain self-confidence and self esteem. 

“I really enjoyed helping the kids get ready for the sport I love so much. It’s the best sport in the world and I am happy that they got to play too,” said Brayden. 

A student at Parkway Central Middle School, Brayden also volunteered at ISkate, a program catering to kids with special needs at the Creve Coeur Ice Arena.

For approximately four months, on Saturday mornings, he helped the kids around the ice and had a great time doing it.