New Jersey Devils Launch Devils Youth Foundation to Unite and Champion Efforts for Youth and Diversity in Hockey, Music, Education and Sport Throughout New Jersey

ONLINE AUCTION BENEFITING FOUNDATION TO LAUNCH JAN. 6 DURING DEVILS VIRTUAL FACE-OFF FEST, PRESENTED BY ENTERPRISE FEATURING UNIQUE, INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCES WITH PLAYERS, ALUMNI AND MORE

NEWLY NAMED FOUNDATION REINFORCES DEVILS AND HARRIS BLITZER SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT’S COMMITMENT TO CHAMPION DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

NEWARK, NJ – JAN. 6, 2021 – The New Jersey Devils and Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment (HBSE) today announce the official formation of the Devils Youth Foundation, a 501(c)(3) dedicated to supporting and championing youth and diversity in hockey, music, education and sport throughout New Jersey. With the goal of inspiring youth through the power of sports and entertainment, the newly named foundation will unite the Devils and Prudential Center’s fundraising initiatives, signature events, long-standing grassroots campaigns and more, while reinforcing HBSE’s commitment to champion diversity and inclusion.

In this past year alone, the Foundation provided over $350,000 in philanthropic and programmatic support to dozens of nonprofit organizations including Newark Working Kitchens, Boys & Girls Club of Newark, the Urban League of Essex County, Hockey in New Jersey, Jazz House Kids, Special Olympics New Jersey, The American Red Cross, the Cancer Infusion Center at Clara Maass Medical Center, Garden State Equality and The Salvation Army.

With this announcement, the Devils Sweep the Deck Gala and Martin Brodeur’s “MB30” Charity Golf Invitational become Devils Youth Foundation signature fundraising events. The Devils recent “Annual Gift of Giving” and “On the Line Auction” initiatives will work in concert with the Devils Youth Foundation to raise awareness and support. In addition to online auctions and signature events, the Devils Youth Foundation will raise funds for the organizations and initiatives it supports via Devils home game 50/50 Raffles, on-going and seasonal online auctions including autographed jerseys, helmets and one-of-a-kind experiences, branded merchandise and apparel sales and more.

Media may CLICK HERE to download images of the New Jersey Devils previous charitable endeavors and events. For more information the Devils Youth Foundation, to donate and more, go to DevilsYouthFoundation.org. To bid on an online auction item and experiences, go to NewJerseyDevils.com/Faceoff.

“We are extremely proud to announce the launch of Devils Youth Foundation, which realigns our focus to support youth initiatives in the City of Newark and throughout New Jersey’s underserved communities,” said Foundation Chair Allison Blitzer. “The mission of the Devils Youth Foundation, to inspire and empower youth, is driven by our commitment to generate positive, lasting and meaningful change in the communities where our teams live, work and play. Using our wide-ranging platforms of hockey, sports, music and entertainment we will seek to raise awareness and funds to positively impact programs covering meal assistance, health and wellness, educational support, music resources and diversity and inclusion.”

To celebrate the announcement of the organization’s new signature fundraising arm, which launches concurrently with the start of the Devils virtual Face-Off Fest, Presented by Enterprise on Saturday, Jan. 9 and Sunday, Jan. 10; prior to the Jan. 14 start of the Devils 2020-21 season, the Foundation will host the online auction from Wednesday, Jan. 6 to Sunday, Jan. 24. Significant Devils Youth Foundation online auction experiences include:

• Pizza with Palmieri Experience: Kyle Palmieri will virtually make pizza with the highest bidder and up to seven of their friends in a 60-minute virtual experience that will include pre-delivered pizza-making materials and ingredients.
• Cigars with Daneyko: The highest bidder and five friends will have the opportunity to participate in a 45-minute private video chat with Ken Daneyko; and receive a cigar care package, custom humidor, cutter and zippo lighter provided by Jiminez Tobacco.
• Patty’s Virtual Seats: The highest bidder and three guests will receive an autographed Patrik Elias jersey and will have the opportunity to virtually watch a period of a Devils 2020-21 Season game alongside Elias; they will additionally receive four tickets to a future Devils game to sit in Elias’ Club Level seats.
• NHL 21 Battle Bros. Experience: The highest bidder and up to five friends will have the opportunity to play a 45 minute bout of NHL21 against Jack Hughes, Ty Smith and team mascot NJ Devil.

The New Jersey Devils organization has a storied history of community engagement, serving and supporting youth, residents and charitable organizations throughout New Jersey. Since arriving in the Garden State in 1982 the organization’s commitment to improving the quality of life for the State has been paramount, a commitment that intensified upon the team’s move to Newark, the purchase of the team by HBSE, and the expansion of community-facing initiatives focused on youth, wellness, athletics, education and food insecurity. The Devils partnership with local and regional philanthropic organizations over the last decade has had a positive impact on the lives of thousands; as has HBSE’s employee volunteer service initiative, which has provided thousands of hours of support to local groups and community initiatives. Additionally, with the support of the Devils dedicated fans, the organization has provided hundreds of coats and toys, and thousands of pounds of food for those in need. The launch of the Devils Youth Foundation is the latest step on the road to a better Jersey.

To support the Devils Youth Foundation, and in honor of the start of the New Jersey Devils 2020-21 season on Thursday, January 14 vs. the Boston Bruins, fans may purchase two limited edition t-shirts designed by current Devils players Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes at NewJerseyDevils.com/Faceoff, with proceeds benefitting the Foundation. Additionally, fans have the opportunity to purchase life-sized, personalized carboard cut-outs, presented by Investors Bank, to be placed in seats at Prudential Center during the regular season at NewJerseyDevils.com/Cutouts.

ABOUT THE NEW JERSEY DEVILS

The New Jersey Devils are part of the 31-team National Hockey League, with teams throughout the United States and Canada. Established in 1982, they are entering their 37th season in the Garden State. During that time, the team has won three Stanley Cup Championships: 1995, 2000 and 2003. Follow the Devils at www.NewJerseyDevils.com, on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The New Jersey Devils organization is a Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment property.