According to a press release put out by the Devils today, the club will team up with Prudential Center and United Airlines to form the “Give 82” initiative.
Give 82 will encourage employees of the Devils and Prudential Center “to commit 82 hours of service to make a difference throughout the Garden State communities.”
Today, the organizations teamed up with United Airlines (who are the presenting sponsor) to surprise students at the St. Philip’s Academy in Newark with a “new, state-of-the-art outdoor hockey rink.” The press release states that this “further exemplifies the NHL’s commitment of bringing hockey to underserved communities along with giving the children a safe place to play hockey in the city of Newark.”
United Airlines’ logo will appear on the bluelines of the rink.
Miguel Brito, the CEO of Philip’s Academy said: “As everyone knows, outdoor space is scarce in Newark so we are truly thankful to the New Jersey Devils, Prudential Center, and United Airlines for the renovation of our outdoor play area. This gift will impact not only the students of Philip’s Academy, but the entire community that surrounds it. The Devils and Prudential Center ahve been outstanding supporters of Philip’s Academy over the past 18 months and this recent act of generosity is “icing” on the cake!”
Prudential Center and its employees have been assisting the Newark community for some time. The arena’s workers have been involved with “feeding the homeless at St. John’s Soup Kitchen or Goodwill Rescue Mission, visiting local Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCA’s and schools or packaging nonperishable goods during the holidays for underserved individuals and families.”
The Give 82 program and the assistance from United Airlines will only strengthen the bonds between the team, the arena and the community. Jeff Scott, Devils Vice President of Community Investments and Grassroots said “(o)ur partnership with United Airlines allows us to further our charitable efforst while growing the game of hockey throughout our underserved communities. We are looking forward to our future projects together, creating lasting memories and making a difference in the lives of many.”
For United Airlines’ part, Jill Kaplan, President, New York/New Jersey, had this to say: “Being a proud partner of Prudential Center and the New Jersey Devils is an exciting and rewarding opportunity for United Airlines as these organizations align to our commitment of supporting our local community and our core values as a company. It is our mission to connect people and unite the world, and this partnership enacts that motto into action.”
United is also a “partner of other leading cultural institutions” in Newark, including the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark Museum and Lincoln Park Coast Cultural District.