Red Wings to hold ‘Wings for Wishes’ game Thursday
By Michael Caples –
When the Red Wings take on the Montreal Canadiens Thursday night, they will be playing for more than just points in the standings.
The team will be hosting their second annual ‘Wings for Wishes’ game when they host their Original Six rival to support Make-A-Wish Michigan.
Detroit will be hosting a mystery puck draw on the concourse behind Section 126 when the doors open at 5:30 p.m. For $35, fans will have a chance to purchase from an assortment of 300 hockey pucks signed by members of the 2013-14 team that are packaged in a black box with a certificate of authenticity. One in every three pucks will hold a signature from Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk, Daniel Alfredsson, Jimmy Howard or Niklas Kronwall.
The fan that gets the ‘golden puck’ – a puck signed in gold by Alfredsson – will get to meet him after the game.
Fans can also purchase Make-A-Wish wristbands for $5, and the 50/50 raffle will benefit Make-A-Wish Michigan, as well.
From the Red Wings’ release:
New this year, the Red Wings will host an online fundraiser for Make-A-Wish Michigan. Fans who donate at certain donation levels will receive corresponding incentives, including discount coupons at Hockeytown Authentics, autographed hockey pucks and a practice visit or tickets to a Red Wings home game during the 2014-15 season. Fans can make an online donation by visiting www.DetroitRedWings.com/WingsforWishes.
Proceeds from these activities will be used to grant wishes to kids like Joseph, a 7-year-old Red Wings fan from Livonia, Mich., whose wish is to attend WrestleMania XXX in New Orleans, La., this April. Groups, such as the Red Wings, who raise more than $5,000 are given the opportunity to participate in Make-A-Wish Michigan’s Adopt-A-Wish program and have one child’s wish dedicated to their efforts.
The Zetterberg Foundation Suite will host four wish kids, including Joseph, and their families on Thursday. They will be treated to free food and beverages along with goody bags, courtesy of captain Henrik Zetterberg and his wife, Emma. The Zetterberg Foundation Suite hosts patients and their families from local children’s charities at each home game during the regular season. To date, the suite has hosted more than 1,370 guests since the 2011-12 season.
The Red Wings were named one of five recipients of the national Chris Greicius Celebrity Award by Make-A-Wish® America during the 2011-12 season, joining Justin Bieber, Sesame Street, Nickelodeon and Buddy Valastro (Cake Boss). Make-A-Wish America honors celebrities and industry figures annually with its Chris Greicius Celebrity Award. The honorees are selected for their exceptional dedication to the mission of Make-A-Wish by helping grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.
About Make-A-Wish® Michigan:
In 2014 Make-A-Wish® Michigan celebrates its 30th Birthday, three decades of granting wishes in Michigan. Since 1984, Make-A-WishMichigan has granted more than 7,500 wishes to Michigan children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength and joy. According to a 2011 U.S. study of wish impact conducted by Make-A-Wish® America, most health professionals surveyed believe a wish-come-true can have positive impacts on the health of children. Kids say wishes give them renewed strength to fight their illnesses, and their parents say these experiences help strengthen the entire family. Based in Brighton, Mich., with an office in Grand Rapids, Make-A-Wish Michigan is funded through community support. More than 80 percent of each dollar spent directly benefits the Michigan wish-granting program. Visit www.michigan.wish.org to learn more.