RELEASE: Devils Launch Youth Foundation – NHL.com

The New Jersey Devils and Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE) today announce the official formation of the Devils Youth Foundation, a 501(c)(3) dedicated to supporting and championing youth and diversity in hockey, music, education, and sport throughout New Jersey. With the goal of inspiring youth through the power of sports and entertainment, the newly named foundation will unite the Devils and Prudential Center’s fundraising initiatives, signature events, long-standing grassroots campaigns and more, while reinforcing HBSE’s commitment to champion diversity and inclusion.

In this past year alone, the Foundation provided over $350,000 in philanthropic and programmatic support to dozens of nonprofit organizations including Newark Working Kitchens, Boys & Girls Club of Newark, the Urban League of Essex County, Hockey in New Jersey, Jazz House Kids, Special Olympics New Jersey, The American Red Cross, the Cancer Infusion Center at Clara Maass Medical Center, Garden State Equality and The Salvation Army.

With this announcement, the Devils Sweep the Deck Gala and Martin Brodeur’s “MB30” Charity Golf Invitational become Devils Youth Foundation signature fundraising events. The Devils’ recent “Annual Gift of Giving” and “On the Line Auction” initiatives will work in concert with the Devils Youth Foundation to raise awareness and support. In addition to online auctions and signature events, the Devils Youth Foundation will raise funds for the organizations and initiatives it supports via Devils home game 50/50 Raffles, on-going and seasonal online auctions including autographed jerseys, helmets, and one-of-a-kind experiences, branded merchandise, and apparel sales and more.

“We are extremely proud to announce the launch of Devils Youth Foundation, which realigns our focus to support youth initiatives in the City of Newark and throughout New Jersey’s underserved communities,” said Foundation Chair Allison Blitzer. “The mission of the Devils Youth Foundation, to inspire and empower youth, is driven by our commitment to generate positive, lasting, and meaningful change in the communities where our teams live, work and play. Using our wide-ranging platforms of hockey, sports, music, and entertainment we will seek to raise awareness and funds to positively impact programs covering meal assistance, health and wellness, educational support, music resources, and diversity and inclusion.”

The New Jersey Devils organization has a storied history of community engagement, serving and supporting youth, residents, and charitable organizations throughout New Jersey. Since arriving in the Garden State in 1982 the organization’s commitment to improving the quality of life for the State has been paramount, a commitment that intensified upon the team’s move to Newark, the purchase of the team by HBSE, and the expansion of community-facing initiatives focused on youth, wellness, athletics, education, and food insecurity. The Devils partnership with local and regional philanthropic organizations over the last decade has had a positive impact on the lives of thousands; as has HBSE’s employee volunteer service initiative, which has provided thousands of hours of support to local groups and community initiatives. Additionally, with the support of the Devils’ dedicated fans, the organization has provided hundreds of coats and toys, and thousands of pounds of food for those in need. The launch of the Devils Youth Foundation is the latest step on the road to a better Jersey.

For more information on the Devils Youth Foundation, to donate and more, go to DevilsYouthFoundation.org.

More Information to come.