About the foundation
A memorial foundation in Alpena, Michigan, that honors Heather Rensberry by helping young people take part in hockey.
Foundation overview
The Heather Rensberry Memorial Foundation is a nonprofit organization based in Alpena, Michigan. It exists to remember Heather Rensberry, a goalie and hockey coach from Alpena, in a way that reflects what she cared about: the game, and the people learning to play it.
The foundation focuses on youth hockey in Alpena and the surrounding community. Its charitable work centers on encouraging participation, supporting young goaltenders, easing the cost of equipment, improving access to ice time, and bringing the local hockey community together through memorial events.
Background and memorial purpose
Heather passed away in March 2021 at the age of 34. Her obituary remembers her love of playing goal and coaching hockey. Friends in the local hockey community have described her as someone who encouraged others and especially enjoyed helping new goalies.
After her death, an adult coed hockey tournament in Alpena, one in which Heather had played goal and been named MVP in its first year, was dedicated to her memory. Public reporting describes that tournament raising money for youth hockey programs, goalie clinics, youth equipment and ice time. The foundation carries the same purpose: to turn a community’s memory of Heather into lasting opportunities for young players.
Read more about Heather’s legacy
What the foundation aims to achieve
The foundation’s aims are practical and local. It hopes to see more young people in the Alpena area try hockey, stay with it, and grow as players and teammates.
More kids on the ice
Lower the practical barriers, such as cost, gear and ice access, that keep interested children from playing.
Stronger young goalies
Give young goaltenders better chances to learn the position, in honor of the position Heather played.
A connected hockey community
Bring players, families and volunteers together around the game and around Heather’s memory.
Charitable focus and community involvement
The foundation’s work is described through five focus areas: youth hockey participation, goaltender development, equipment and resources, access to ice time, and community hockey activities. Each is explained on the programs and community support page, along with how to ask about current opportunities.
The foundation is part of Alpena’s local hockey community. Northern Lights Arena, Alpena’s ice facility, lists the Heather Rensberry Memorial Foundation among the main groups that use the arena.
Source: Northern Lights Arena, About Us (opens in a new tab)
Guiding principles
These principles describe how the foundation approaches its work.
- Put young players first
- Decisions start with what helps children and teens enjoy the game, develop their skills and stay safe while doing it.
- Lower barriers, quietly
- Help should be practical and respectful. Families asking about support deserve discretion and a straight answer.
- Remember with care
- Heather’s memory is honored through the work itself, and her story is told only with information that is accurate and publicly shared.
- Be honest about what’s possible
- The foundation describes its goals clearly and does not promise support it cannot confirm.
- Work with the community
- Local players, families, volunteers and supporters are what make youth hockey in Alpena possible.
- Stay accountable
- Supporters should be able to verify who the foundation is and ask how their contributions are used.