Connor McMahon: APIVEO Player of the Month, March 2014

Congratulations Connor and thank you for Always Playing IV Each Other!

Excerpt from the APIVEO Player of the Month award ceremony;

The purpose of my life and the purpose of your life is simple; it’s to add value to those around us…to Always Play IV Each Other. When you hold up IV fingers you are saying that “YOU Always Play IV Each Other.” How we do this is unique to each one of us. It is as unique as our own fingerprints. To Always Play IV Each Other is to leverage our talents, gifts and passions to help others.

Now for the reason we are here today. On the ice Connor pours himself into the space between the pipes and gives every ounce of himself to his team. I understand he has some pretty impressive stats and a couple of awards and trophies to go along with them. Connor is a great athlete but that’s not why we are here today. We are here today because Connor McMahon is a great leader. Conner McMahon is the APIVEO Player of the Month because he Always Plays IV Each Other. There is no doubt that Connor puts others first; but it’s important to understand that he doesn’t do it by putting himself second. Connor doesn’t simply get out of the way so someone else ends up in front of him. He knows that won’t actually help anyone. He rolls up his sleeves and cares for people; he lifts them up and puts them in places they can’t always go on their own. I’d like to share a great example of this. Today is Connor’s 13th birthday and everyone has come here to make this a special day for him. But Connor didn’t spend this morning sitting around counting the minutes with great excitement until he could take the ice with the Gladiators. No, this morning Connor did what Connor does; he spent the morning with his family and friends caring for kids at Scottish Rite. And this wasn’t the first time he did this. Four years ago Connor started “Connor’s Hope” so he could show the kids at Scottish Rite that they were not alone and that he cares about them. Four times a year Connor shows up at Scottish Rite with backpacks, smiles and serving a heart. It doesn’t end there, after talking to Connor and his dad there is no doubt that Connor Always Plays IV Each Other in everything he does.

As APIVEO Player of the Month, Connor has the privilege of naming a charity that will receive a $1,000 donation from the APIVEO Player of the Month sponsor Delta Community Credit Union. As you already know Connor has his own charity, Connor’s Hope, which is exactly where I assumed he would donate the money. When I asked Connor if he decided who would receive the donation, he said “I would like it to go to The Scarborough Family Foundation because they helped my family.” And he added, “It wouldn’t be right for me to keep to keep it.” Another great example of Always Playing IV Each Other.

Connor’s Hope. Hope; what a great word. What a powerful word. Hope is not a symbolic life preserver that suddenly shows up when you feel like you’re drowning. Hope is much more than that. Hope is not like grace because grace is an unearned gift. I would like to share a wonderful definition of hope from a great book I read, “Not only so, we also glory in our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance character; and character hope.” Hope is the product of strong character. Hope is built one brick at a time with great effort. Keep that in mind every time you hear “Connor’s Hope.”

Connor, thank you for caring, serving and playing for others. While your story is amazing it is so much more than just a story. It’s a template for other kids. It’s literally a “How To Book” for every kid out there. What is in you is in every kid; and hearing about you will inspire them as leaders and inspire them to Always Play IV Each Other.

Can everyone up hold IV fingers for Connor? Connor McMahon, it my pleasure and honor to name you as the inaugural APIVEO Player of the Month. Congratulations Connor! -Brad Jubin- APIVEO

A special thank you to the Gwinnett Gladiators organization, CBS Atlanta, the Scarborough Family Foundation and the APIVEO Player of the Month Selection Committee.