Many of you know that I’m a hockey fan and closely follow the University of Denver, which won its ninth national championship in April this year. On the day between the semifinals and finals while I was there in Boston for the Frozen Four, they present awards, most notably for the Hobey Baker, which goes to the best player in college hockey. The hockey Heisman, if you will. Among the other awards is a huge honor for one college player, the Hockey Humanitarian Award. This year’s winner was Josh Kosack of Union College, which is a small but mighty school in Schenectady, NY. Josh’s story and his acceptance speech resonated with me, so I reached out and brought him onto the WASP. Josh grew up in Oakville, ON, outside Toronto, eventually played with the Green Bay Gamblers of the USHL on the juniors circuit, and then came to Union, from where he earned his economics degree. What I love about this story is how a random act snowballed into a big deal that ultimately helped a lot of kids. Josh was leaving the ice after warming up for a game at Dartmouth and he gave a puck to a boy named Patrick Doner, who has Down Syndrome. Well that led to Patrick becoming a big fan of Josh’s, and later to Josh connecting with the C.O.C.O.A. House in Schenectady, which helps disadvantaged kids, and its executive director, Will Rivas. The acronym stands for Children of Our Community Open to Achievement. Josh developed a following there called Kozi’s Kids and in the first year raised $5000 to buy laptops and online learning equipment. Then things took off as the word got out. Kozi’s Kids raised $50,000 the next year, culminating with Josh’s Hockey Humanitarian Award and a $3000 check from its foundation. Josh is a humble young man who showed how one very simple act of kindness – along with a heart rooted in service – can make an amazing impact in the world. I hope you enjoy this!

Josh Kosack
Instagram @joshkosack

C.O.C.O.A. House
cocoahouse.org
Facebook and Instagram @cocoahouseinc

Bill Stahl
[email protected]
Facebook Bill Stahl
Instagram @stahlor