Two 11-year-old Montgomery County girls have been advocating fiercely to save the New Hanover ball hockey outdoor rink, and the Philadelphia Flyers took notice, writes Justin Heinze for the Patch.

The rink has been under threat for months, with one of the proposals calling for its conversion into a pickleball court.

Natalie Van Druff and Lilly Walter decided to take matters into their own hands in hopes of preventing such a loss. They spoke at New Hanover Township board meetings about what the rink meant to many girls and boys around the region who love hockey.

With their supporters, they managed to get the pickleball proposal axed. However, the rink still needed repairs that could cost several hundred thousand dollars.

That is when Flyers Charities leadership latched on to the grassroots project.

“One of our main pillars is growing the game of hockey, and their determination to make a difference exemplifies that,” said Blair Listino, President of Flyers Charities.

The organization donated $200,000 to save and rebuild their beloved arena — with the check being presented to Van Druff and Walter by Flyers forward Garnet Hathaway and Gritty.

Read more about the girls’ efforts in the Patch.