Mission and values
Why the foundation exists, where it hopes to go, and the values that guide the way it works.
Our mission
The Heather Rensberry Memorial Foundation honors Heather Rensberry’s memory by helping young people in Alpena and the surrounding community take part in hockey. We work to reduce the barriers that keep children and families away from the rink, from the cost of equipment and ice time to the chance to learn from people who love the game, so that young athletes can build skill, confidence and teamwork and carry a lasting, positive impact into their community.
This statement summarizes the foundation’s purpose for this website. It is not quoted from the foundation’s governing documents.
A long-term vision for youth hockey in Alpena
The foundation looks toward a local hockey community where any child who wants to play has a real chance to, and where the cost of skates, pads or ice time is not what decides it.
In that picture, young goalies have people and resources to help them learn a demanding position. Players stay with the game long enough to discover what it can teach them. And each new season adds to a community that remembers Heather by making room for the next player.
The foundation is honest that this is a direction rather than a finished result. Its progress depends on the support of donors, volunteers and the wider Alpena hockey community.
Guiding values
Six values shape how the foundation thinks about young players and the community around them.
Youth development
Hockey is a way to grow. Skill matters, and so do discipline, resilience and learning to handle both wins and losses.
Access and opportunity
Interest and effort should count for more than a family’s budget. Lowering cost barriers is at the center of the work.
Community participation
Youth hockey runs on volunteers, families, coaches and supporters. The foundation succeeds when more people take part.
Teamwork
No one plays hockey alone. Trusting teammates, supporting each other and playing a role are lessons worth teaching.
Personal growth
Confidence built on the ice carries into school, work and life. The foundation values effort and progress, not just talent.
Remembrance
Everything the foundation does is connected to Heather. Remembering her well means doing this work with care.
A commitment to honoring Heather
Heather was remembered as a goalie, a coach and someone who went out of her way to help new players. The foundation’s mission follows directly from that.
- Keeping young goaltenders at the center of the foundation’s focus, in honor of the position she played.
- Supporting teaching and encouragement, the way she did as a coach.
- Telling her story only with accurate, publicly shared information.
- Keeping the memorial connected to the Alpena hockey community that knew her.