Islanders Join Fight to Protect Children

The New York Islanders said they are partnering with The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children with the goal of raising money and awareness for the organization.

The team said that $2 for each ticket sold for the March 7 game at the Nassau Coliseum against the New York Rangers would go directly to the NCMEC.

The Isles also announced that owner Charles Wang would personally match the total from the ticket donation.

Co-founder of NCMEC and host of America’s Most Wanted John Walsh will attend the game and drop the ceremonial puck.

Collection tables will be set up for donations and fans can also text SAFEKIDS to 20222 to make a $10 donation.

"Last season's event at the Islanders game was a huge success in raising awareness and funds for NCMEC," Walsh stated in a release. "I plan on putting my undefeated record on the line and seeing another big Islanders victory, both on and off the ice."

Last March, the Islanders raised more than $50,000 for the NCMEC during a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

The NCMEC has four major regional offices nationwide, including one in Rochester, N.Y.

The organization has become the leading nonprofit organization in the U.S. working with law enforcement to address the problems of missing and sexually exploited children. The NCMEC said an estimated 800,000 children are reported missing each year.