As a young ambassador for the Henrik Lundqvist Foundation, I’ve had the incredible privilege of being involved in a number of inspiring initiatives that focus on empowering underserved communities and providing opportunities for young people to thrive. One program that has deeply impacted me is the PwC Hockey Helps program. Through this, I’ve seen firsthand how sports, particularly hockey, can be used as a platform to give back to the community, while fostering important life skills such as teamwork, resilience, and leadership. But it’s not just about playing the game; it’s about making a tangible difference in the lives of others.
The Hockey Helps program, in collaboration with PwC, provides a platform for youth in underserved areas to experience the joy of hockey, while also giving back to their communities through charitable projects and support for local schools. As part of this program, we are encouraged to become ambassadors who engage in volunteer work, raise funds, and advocate for positive change in education, health, and overall well-being.
Through my work as an ambassador so far this year, I’ve had the opportunity to see how these initiatives positively impact young people’s lives. I’ve witnessed children, who might not have had access to sports or educational resources otherwise, discover their passion for hockey. More importantly, they are inspired to get involved in causes that help improve the world around them.
Helping others through the PwC Hockey Helps program has been a life-changing experience for me, as it has provided a direct opportunity to make a difference in the community. The foundation’s emphasis on teamwork and compassion mirrors my own values, and being a part of a cause that brings so much positivity has been immensely fulfilling. Every event I participate in brings a sense of accomplishment; knowing that we are all part of something much bigger than ourselves.
In addition to my role as an ambassador, I had the honor of being part of a recent event that focused on educational equity. Last month, we hosted a special event for the Hockey Helps/PwC, where we conducted STEM projects for schools in Manhattan aiming for a cost of $1,000 to be donated. These projects aimed to foster creativity, enhance learning, and provide essential resources for schools in need. The project was focused to ensure a way to support schools in communities that have been underfunded.
We worked with donors to help fund several specific projects through DonorsChoose.org, a platform that allows donors to directly contribute to classroom needs. Some of the projects included funding for cleaning supplies to ensure a safe and healthy learning environment, along with essential supplies for creativity in the classroom, such as materials for arts and crafts. For example, Eloise and myself’s project for cleaning supplies
($257) and the Essential Supplies for a Clean and Creative Classroom project ($118) are just a few of the initiatives that were supported. We also contributed to projects such as “Cleanse That Middle School Air Please” ($222), which aimed to improve air quality in classrooms to help maintain a healthy learning space for students. All in all, the total contribution amounted to over $597 in classroom materials and additional supplies, with one of our projects being selected as a winner, leading to further contributions for “2025 Classroom Materials and Toys” ($602).
This experience has shown me that giving back can have a profound impact on the future of education, and it has reaffirmed the importance of collective action. I am grateful to be part of the Henrik Lundqvist Foundation and the PwC Hockey Helps, continuously demonstrating that every effort, no matter how small, has the power to create lasting change.
