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Fun Finds A Good Cause

Intelligencer Journal - 2/2/2017

A floor hockey tournament begun with the idea of helping veterans in need has received some inspiration from a source close to home.

Landisville Middle School physical education teacher Dan Relin earlier this school year organized six teams - about 50 students - for the tournament at the school. Played over Veterans Day weekend in November, the inaugural event raised more than $300 slated to be donated to programs at the Lebanon VA Medical Center.

"One of our core values at LMS is respect," Relin said. "The idea is for the kids to understand our veterans and the sacrifices that they make."

The official presentation was scheduled for a planned school assembly to be held at a later date. That date turned out to be Monday.

But a few weeks ago, Relin received some bad news he found himself compelled to do some good with.

A former student of his, Kyle Gerber, died in a car accident Jan. 8. Gerber, a 1996 Hempfield graduate, played basketball and baseball during his scholastic days. He also spent four years in the Navy. A signalman aboard the USS Anzio CG68, Gerber served tours in the Persian Gulf.

"He was one of those kids you couldn't get off the court," recalled Relin, who coached a then-15-year-old Gerber in basketball. "And he took a lot of pride in his military service."

Knowing the presentation to the VA was forthcoming, Relin decided that an official renaming of the event was in order.

Going forward, LMS's tournament will be known as the Kyle Gerber Veterans Memorial Floor Hockey Tournament. To that end, Gerber's parents, Ken and Diane Gerber, joined Relin to present the funds raised from this year's event to the VA's Chief Volunteer Service Director, Jeremy Fees.

Relin hopes to see the tournament keep growing. Next year, he said, he plans to seek out more staff and student involvement, and his goal is to at least double the school's donation.

Credit: LTHOMPSON@LNPNEWS.COM

Caption: - Submitted Photo From Left, Dan Relin, Ken Gerber, Diane Gerber And Jeremy Fees Gather After An Assembly At Landisville Middle School On Monday. A Floor Hockey Tournament Relin Organized To Benefit Programs At The Lebanon Va Medical Center Has Been Renamed In Honor Of The Gerbers' Late Son, Kyle, A Former Hempfield Athlete And Navy Veteran.