BEHIND THE MASK
The Henrik Lundqvist Foundation Newsletter
Issue I. – December 2014
To Learn More & Donate visit www.HLundqvistFoundation.com

Letter from the Co-Founders

The idea of starting our own charitable foundation was not a new one. When I visited Ronald McDonald House in Sweden as an 18-year-old hockey player, I realized the power athletes have to give back and our ability to inspire those in need. As a New York Ranger, I became involved with Garden of Dreams Foundation and saw first hand the need not just for financial support, but also the importance of sharing personal moments and experiences with those less fortunate than us. Now as parents, our desire to help children and support families suffering from health issues, financial instability and lack of access to quality education is a priority.

The Henrik Lundqvist Foundation has been many years in the making. We hope to have an impact internationally, from Sweden to New York City and beyond. We want to build a legacy of support for children’s health and education that will last longer than any hockey career. We’re excited to get started and feel lucky to have you on the journey with us.

Skål!
Henrik & Therese Lundqvist

 

Who Is HLF?

The Henrik Lundqvist Foundation strives to create positive change in the lives of children and adults throughout the world through education, music, sports and health services. Recognizing that there are a multitude of organizations doing outstanding work in HLF’s primary focus areas of health and education, HLF works alongside its community partners to provide not just financial support, but also in-person outreach including volunteering, visits and additional visibility. The Henrik Lundqvist Foundation is proud to support New York-Presbyterian Children’s Hospitals, Food Bank for New York City, Ronald McDonald Barnfond (“Children’s Fund”), Together for Better and Garden of Dreams Foundation. To learn more about each of the HLF community partners, click HERE.

 

 “Make a Save” with HLF Today!
With HLF’s focus on health and education, we are proud to support Food Bank For New York City’s CookShop Program, the core nutrition education program of FBNYC, which gives low-income children, teens and adults the knowledge and tools to adopt and enjoy a healthy diet and active lifestyle on a limited budget. Help the Henrik Lundqvist Foundation reach its goal of a $25,000 contribution to Food Bank for New York City in support of CookShop and other hunger-relief and education programs by making a donation today.

 

– What We’ve Done So Far –

Our Inaugural Event
On September 15, 2014, HLF held its first fundraising event at the Refinery Rooftop in New York City. The intimate event introduced guests to the mission and partners of the Henrik Lundqvist Foundation and was attended by teammates from the New York Rangers, members of the New York Jets, NHL great Pat LaFontaine and more. Guests were treated to a Q&A session between the evening’s host, Kevin Weekes, and Henrik Lundqvist, to exciting silent and live auctions and to an acoustic musical performance by Henrik and his bandmates Paul Cataldo and John McEnroe. The event was sponsored by 400 Capital, GM Advisory Group, Bread & Boxers/United Legwear and Underwear Co., Smith Brothers, Newport Sports, Adeptus, The Paul and Phyllis Fireman Charitable Foundation, Ermenegildo Zegna, and South Street Partners/Kiawah Island. A wonderful evening for all involved, HLF proudly raised over $100,000 to help support its community partners.

Visiting New York-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital
On September 10, 2014, HLF co-founder Henrik Lundqvist stepped off the ice and into the rooms of pediatric patients at New York-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital. During his first visit with this community partner, Henrik posed for pictures with NYP doctors, nurses and administrators in between meeting children and their families in a group playroom and through individual room visits. The joy of bringing smiles to lifelong Rangers fans and first-time hockey enthusiasts is one of the many reasons HLF will be back at the hospital for another visit before the end of the year.

Celebrating “A Year of Birthdays” at the Birthday Bash
HLF was proud to be a Presenting Sponsor of the NY-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital Birthday Bash on November 12, 2014. In addition to making a $25,000 contribution to the hospital, HLF Co-Founders Henrik and Therese Lundqvist, along with fellow New York Ranger Carl Hagelin and other members of the HLF team celebrated a “year of extra birthdays” made possible by the world-class pediatric care at Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital. Henrik also served as the event’s Celebrity Emcee and even blew out the candles on the evening’s colorful birthday cake!

Delivering Supplies and Smiles in the Dominican Republic
From November 7-10, 2014 HLF Co-Founder Therese Lundqvist led a group of volunteers, including other members of the NY Rangers “family”, on a trip to the Dominican Republic to support HLF community partner Together for Better. In the weeks leading up to the trip, HLF collected over 700 pounds worth of school supplies, books, hygiene products and children’s clothing to distribute during their visit to the Together for Better Cumajon school and in Veron. HLF volunteers also helped to paint one of the school buildings and organized an afternoon of snacks and games for the community.

Thank You to Gotham Magazine
HLF Co-Founder Henrik Lundqvist appeared on the cover of the October issue of Gotham Magazine and to celebrate, Gotham hosted an event at Wolfgang’s Steakhouse in Tribeca on October 22, 2014. The evening included a silent auction, with items donated by Gotham Magazine partners and supporters. Thanks to the generosity of Gotham Magazine and the guests in attendance, HLF was able to raise over $25,000 at the event.

Henrik’s Crease at Madison Square Garden
HLF is proud to support the Garden of Dreams Foundation’s Dream Nights by purchasing tickets for children to attend Rangers games as a part of ‘Henrik’s Crease’. At six Rangers’ games this season, kids from GODF organizations will be invited to a special evening at Madison Square Garden, including tickets to the game, food, beverages and once-in-a-lifetime experiences like being a part of the “Blue Crew”, meeting Rangers’ alumni and appearing on the MSG jumbotron. The first two games for Henrik’s Crease were on October 27th and November 5th and included children from Life Center, a homeless shelter affiliated with the NYC Department of Homelessness and Make-A-Wish Suffolk County.

 

– Coming Up This Winter –

* HLF is excited to begin working with its community partner Food Bank for New York City, volunteering at the Community Kitchen in West Harlem and providing support for the CookShop and Campus Pantry programs.

* HLF will continue to visit NY-Presbyterian/Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital and is excited to plan its first event for patients in the hospital’s indoor Wintergarden plaza.

* Henrik and HLF are excited to collaborate with the Garden of Dreams Foundation on a unique project involving Henrik’s goalie masks. Stay tuned for more information about “Masked” including when it will be on the ice, featured on tv and how you’ll be able to donate to HLF and bring a one-of-a-kind Lundqvist goalie mask home!