The Charlotte Checkers Buy Superfan Zach Bennett, 11, A New Home

When the Albany River Rats packed up their pucks and sticks to move to Charlotte, N.C., dedicated 11-year-old fan Zach Bennett told his parents he wanted to make the move, too.

The Bennetts agreed to the 700-mile move and put their house on the market, but it didn't sell. After months of waiting, the hockey team -- now called the Charlotte Checkers -- decided it couldn't leave its beloved fan behind. They bought a new house in Charlotte and gave the Bennetts the keys.

Zack "Bug" Bennett suffers from neurofibromatosis 1, a genetic disorder that affects his nervous system, which has led to the amputation of both his legs. But through his illness he has developed an exceptionally close relationship with the team.

Randy Bennett, Zach's father, explained to the Charlotte Observer:

"They kept him going after his amputation. Hockey players are a different caliber of athlete. These are guys who'd come over, kick off their shoes and sit on the couch to play games with our son."

Checkers' COO Tera Black was amazed at the players' ability to relate to Zach.

"I've been personally extremely touched by our players' ability to turn off the hockey side," she told AOL News.

Everything is starting to fall into place for the Bennetts in their new home. They found a special treatment facility for Zach before leaving Albany. And they managed to sell their house shortly after the Checkers bought them a new one, AOL News reports.

"To see what they've done for us ... it's just amazing," said Randy Bennett.

WATCH:

To help the Bennetts, the team raised money with several fundraisers, including a Facebook campaign. Once the house was bought, sponsors and contractors donated labor and materials to tailor the house to the Bennetts' needs.

"I think a lot of the credit has to go to the people who donated a lot of the money and donated all their time and did all this work for this house. ... That's the side of the story people don't hear about ... all those people who aren't getting interviewed right now," said Checkers Forward Brad Herauf.

Their efforts certainly paid off -- Zach has settled right in.

"This is my new home," he said, content.

Follow the link below to learn more about Zach's illness, neurofibromatosis, or to get involved.

Comments

[TimRivers]

10:58 AM on 05/13/2011

A great story and proof that, at least some, athletes can use their talents for other good than just the sport they play.

Measure greatness not in the number of breaths you take, but in the number of moments that take your breath away.

[JackHoffman]

12:54 AM on 04/18/2011

They're probably mostly Canadian.

[iconico62]

05:09 PM on 04/16/2011

I know these players do not make the millions major league players make. If they can set a marvelous model like helping this family, could you imagine the tide of positivity if only a fraction of these other millionaires did a similar thing? As he saying goes, what a wonderful world this will be.

[WeCanDoMore]

12:21 PM on 04/16/2011

Very nice story. Now lets see a few bankers buy some disadvantaged families a home, instead of throwing fortunes at lobbyists, and hoarding our economy.

[Taymullah]

01:07 PM on 04/15/2011

While this story is great, heart warming and brings a smile to my face. I have a mindset that still thinks about the unsold piece of property.

Since they were donated a house and land they have another unsold piece of land and house that could go to a family in need or be donated as a temporary rehoming place for people in need.

While these people were able to get some help to me, it is only fair that they do the same thing with their previous home, pay it forward so to speak. I'm sure there are plenty in their home town who just need that little break, that bit of help... ya know...

[Mary Karius]

02:04 PM on 04/15/2011

how do you know they didn't? or are you assuming?

[Taymullah]

02:12 PM on 04/15/2011

The article touches on neither fact, if they did or did not. I would suspect that had they done so it would have been mentioned in the article.

There is no assumption of nothing, I never imply that they did or did not do something, only gave thought on what I feel would have been, is, or was the right thing to do.

Sorry to disappoint if you were looking for some witty argument to ensue. Merely ramblings based on the aspect of paying things forward in life.

[DMSmith]

01:41 AM on 04/17/2011

You assume that they own that other house and can do with it as they please. Undoubtedly they have a mortgage and cannot afford to 'pay it forward' as you suggest.
Wouldn't it be nice? Sure, but probably not possible.

[Stacey Jones]

03:21 AM on 04/15/2011

Great! It's nice to see a positive story about people helping other people especially celebrities or athletics because they don't have to. So many people with wealth, connections, and influence do nothing to help others and only help the people they know. It's nice to see people actually help someone who is in terrible state/condition.

[Willie Huff]

09:12 PM on 04/14/2011

that's actually super cool

[butchcliff]

08:25 PM on 04/14/2011

Wonderful thing to do for the boy

[Nathan Strang]

07:59 PM on 04/14/2011

Way to go Rats! (My old hometown team)

[Steven Jackson]

12:51 AM on 04/15/2011

Sucks you had to see them go but we love the Checkers here!

[GeneParmesanPI]

04:46 PM on 04/14/2011

great story but I didn't need the BING neurofibromatosis images right after the article

[ChickenBiscuits]

04:35 PM on 04/14/2011

Awesome story!!! This really makes my week. Go Canes!!! Go Checkers!!!

[Soulfest]

04:33 PM on 04/14/2011

Real sports' heroes.

Beautiful way to care.

Bravo.

[Aaron Peeples]

04:12 PM on 04/14/2011

Hey, football and basketball players, what have you spent YOUR money on? Another escalade? Perhaps you made it rain in a gentleman's club? Look closely. THIS is how you give back.

[moogaloog]

08:22 PM on 04/14/2011

exactly! i volunteer at a camp for kids who lost a parent on 9/11 and the mets are the only team that have agreed to donate anything to us in the past few years. the rest are just like "what? why are you calling us? go away."
thus why i'm a met fan.

[Dhammi]

04:03 PM on 04/14/2011

The absolute BEST story of the week.
Bravo Checkers!

[coolshay8]

04:02 PM on 04/14/2011

It is nice to read this story in the midst of everything else on Huffpo that makes you angry. I feel touched