The Anaheim Ducks have deep roots in the Orange County Community
Ducks In The Community is an idea to bring monthly stories giving Ducks fans a look at the programs the Anaheim Ducks have to help serve the community. The owners of the Anaheim Ducks Henry and Susan Samueli have made sure that the team has a very active role in the community.
The Anaheim Ducks Foundation was created and established at the start of the 08/09 hockey season, with the idea of helping “facilitate and support programs that produce positive change for children and families throughout Southern California by providing educational opportunities, broadening access to the sport of hockey and addressing the health and wellness needs of our community.”.
Stars and Sticks
Through charity events put on by the foundation such as “Dux In Tux” a black tie dinner affair in which the players are the service staff, waiting on tables and serving drinks to guests. The always popular “Center Ice Party” formally known as “Casino Night” a fun night of hanging out with players and getting dressed up to fit the many themes they’ve had over the years. Or the Anaheim Lady Ducks Fashion Show, a lunch where players wives have their husbands walk the runway and are usually joined by their children in a fun family environment.
Through these events the foundation has been able to raise money for many organizations, namely Children’s Hospital of Orange County or as the locals call it CHOC and Orangewood Children’s Home.
Through the help of the Anaheim Ducks Foundation CHOC has been able to keep up with medical equipment and build a new wing to the hospital dedicated to children’s cancer research. As well Orangewood has been able to keep adding to their infrastructure and upgrading with new beds and learning materials.
The Foundation is an integral part of not just Orange County but all of Southern California. Next month we’ll look at the primary educational program for the Foundation, “S.C.O.R.E.”.