Hockey with a Heart: How Islanders Fans Help Fund Free Cleft Surgery
See how Islanders’ Hockey with a Heart at UBS Arena powers Smile Train’s free cleft surgery — $180K+ raised, 450+ surgeries, including $42,362 in 2025.
On Long Island, hockey isn’t just a game.
From originating the playoff beard to the thunderous “Yes! Yes! Yes!” chant after goals, the New York Islanders’ traditions are woven into the fabric of Long Island pride. But perhaps the Islanders’ proudest tradition is the one that best reflects the community’s generous spirit: their Hockey with a Heart program.
Each year, the team dedicates select home games at UBS Arena to local and global charities. These nights give fans the chance to make a difference while cheering on the team they love.
Among the many causes they support, the Islanders share a special connection to Smile Train.
Smile Train and the Islanders: A Shared Inspiration to Greatness
Smile Train and the Islanders are connected through the late Long Island tech leader Charles B. Wang, who became the team’s majority owner in 2000 — and founded Smile Train one year earlier, in 1999.
Both endeavors were rooted in his commitment to giving back to a community and a world that had given him so much.
The son of Chinese immigrants, Charles rose as a software industry pioneer by spotting opportunities others missed. That same mindset led him to rethink how cleft care should work.
A sustainable model for cleft surgery
Seeing the model of other cleft-focused organizations, Charles noted the inefficiencies of sending US medical teams on short-term missions to provide cleft surgeries abroad.
He asked a simple question: Why not train and equip local medical professionals to provide cleft care year-round instead?
He thought such an approach would:
- Expand access beyond occasional visits
- Strengthen local health systems
- Make care more sustainable and cost-effective
Charles called it the “teach a person to fish” model and started Smile Train to put it into action. In the quarter century since, it has supported more than 2 million cleft surgeries — more than every other charity combined — by training and equipping local doctors to provide safe, high-quality care in their own communities.
The impact: Islanders fans supporting cleft surgery worldwide
Through a 50-50 raffle and other in-arena activations, Islanders fans have helped raise over $180,000 in 10+ years through Hockey with a Heart — enough to support more than 450 life-changing cleft surgeries for people in need around the world.
A community service award honoring Charles B. Wang’s legacy
In 2024, the Islanders recognized the bond between our organizations by making Smile Train President and CEO Susannah Schaefer just the second person to receive the Charles B. Wang Community Service Award.
During the April 9, 2024, game at UBS Arena, Islanders co-owner Jon Ledecky presented Schaefer with a silver stick and announced a $25,000 donation from the New York Islanders Children’s Foundation to Smile Train in her honor.
Smile Train Night at UBS Arena: December 27, 2025
This season’s Hockey with a Heart game for Smile Train was held on December 27, 2025.
In addition to the usual fundraisers, we were honored to be joined by Smile Train Celebrity Ambassador Lidia Bastianich, a longtime Queens resident and beloved cooking show legend.
Inspired by her trademark gusto and good spirits, the Blue and Orange Army raised $42,362 that night, making it our most successful Hockey with a Heart event yet.
“I had a fantastic time at Hockey with a Heart,” said Lidia. “I am always grateful for the opportunity to contribute to Smile Train’s lifesaving work in any way I can — and to get my Long Island community involved with this special cause made this wonderful night even better!”
The Smiles New York Islanders Fans Made Possible
- $180,000+ Funds raised through Hockey with a Heart for over 10 years
- 450+ Estimated cleft surgeries supported
“On behalf of everyone at Smile Train, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to the entire New York Islanders community for all they do to make our annual Hockey with a Heart night such a success. I can think of no greater tribute to Charles’s legacy than our two organizations teaming up year after year to help children thrive.”
— Susannah Schaefer, Smile Train President and CEO
A big win for children with clefts to go along with a 2-0 Islanders victory? To that we say, “Yes! Yes! Yes!”
