The third installment of the ‘Devils Sweep the Deck’ event has proven to be the most successful, topping last year’s $1.1 million total by a wide margin. “Our entire team, from our hockey ops to our business to our marketing lean in on this event. They have made it the most successful event we’ve ever had,” said Executive Director of the Devils Youth Foundation Kate Whitman-Annis. “We’ve raised a million-and-a-half dollars — it’ll be over that by the end of the night. And that just means we can get that out to the community, where it’s really needed.”
And who is it that the event is benefitting?
“We support programs in four different areas and our two main focuses this year are getting kids active and moving, to combat obesity issues — things we’ve seen have particularly grown since Covid — also, around food and nutrition security issues,” Whitman-Annis continued.
“We’ve definitely put money back into areas in Newark and Jersey City and one way is through community fridges. You’ll see here tonight, we have a life-sized fridge and that’s pretty cool to see. We’re making great strides in that area and that’s pretty exciting for us,” said Devils Youth Foundation Chair Allison Blitzer, noting that one of the centerpieces around this year’s event was a community fridge where attendees could purchase fruits and vegetables to fill the fridge for the community.
Unlike what you may see at many charity galas, tonight’s event was casual and full of activities as the attendees got to bond with players, coaches and management on the Devils roster in addition to Devils Alumni.
“This is not a stuffy event,” Blitzer continued. “It’s a fun, life-enforcing, enjoy yourself and appreciate all you can do event. Coming together in every way so we can be strong together. It’s a night filled with joy, gratefulness and optimism for what the future can be for Newark and we’re really excited about it.”
Gala Raises Record $1.67 Million
The Devils Youth Foundation raised an event record of $1.67 million at the annual Devils Sweep the Deck Gala, a 100% increase over the previous year’s total, which will benefit the youth in the community.
