Monumental Sports & Entertainment – and its mascots – are teaming up with the beloved nonprofit for toy drives to help children battling serious illnesses
Our Monumental Mascot Superheroes have received the call! Hope for Henry needs their help and they are on the way – joining fellow superheroes to help save the day! Kids battling illness need their cheer because fighting pediatric diseases needs special gear! You see, the Monumental Mascot Superheroes know, laughter is always contagious everywhere Hope for Henry goes! (See their special video message!)
Monumental Sports & Entertainment (MSE) – led by its superhero mascots, the Washington Capitals’ Slapshot, the Wizards’ G-Wiz and the Mystics’ Pax – have selected Hope for Henry as its Social Impact beneficiary for March 2020. As part of MSE’s Social Impact initiative, each month the company selects one nonprofit and uses all of its assets to shine a spotlight on them to help raise awareness, increase their fundraising and engage fans to volunteer or donate to their cause. MSE is honored to partner throughout the month of March 2020 with Hope for Henry, which works with doctors, nurses, child life specialists and psychosocial team members to organize over-the-top superhero extravaganzas, spa days and birthday parties to advance medical care for children.
“Children think sports stars are superheroes, but our sports stars know that children – especially those dealing with acute health issues – are the real superheroes! That’s why we – led by Slapshot, G-Wiz and Pax – are proud to partner with Hope for Henry, who works to give our sickest little ones extraordinary experiences to combat the tedium and anxiety of overcoming their illness and achieve better results!” said Anu Rangappa, Vice President, Social Impact, Monumental Sports & Entertainment.
Children and their families love the fun Hope for Henry brings, and medical professionals confirm the innovative approach leads to better health outcomes. Nurses say this makes a huge difference in their care. Since 2003, Hope for Henry has improved the lives of more than 48,000 children, including at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. Customized for infancy through adolescence, the programs alleviate the boredom and stress of long hospital stays, encouraging patients and their families to engage with treatments that can be uncomfortable or even painful.
“To heal, sick children need hope, optimism, and motivation,” said Hope for Henry CEO Laurie Strongin. “Thanks to partners like Monumental Sports & Entertainment, Hope for Henry is in the hospital every day, providing needed entertaining distractions and incentives so kids can heal faster with fewer long-term, negative effects.”
Throughout the month, fans of the Wizards, Capitals, Mystics, Go-Go and District Gaming are asked to help on two key dates and to give in three specific ways:
Sunday, March 15: G-Wiz’s Birthday! + Wizards Toy and Gift Card Drive
At the home game against Oklahoma City beginning at 6 p.m. and in celebration of G-Wiz’s birthday day, MSE has created a special birthday video featuring the beloved mascot and encourage fans to honor G-Wiz by donating board games, superhero action figures and gift cards to benefit the kids of Hope for Henry.
Thursday, March 26: Capitals Toy and Gift Card Drive
At the home game against the New York Rangers beginning at 7 p.m., fans are encouraged to drop off board games, superhero action figures and gift cards to benefit the kids of Hope for Henry.
About MSE
Monumental Sports & Entertainment is America’s leading sports and entertainment family. Our people, players, teams and events bring excitement and joy to millions. We invest and innovate to consistently raise the game so we can deliver extraordinary experiences that will inspire and unite our community, our fans and our people. To learn more, please visit www.monumentalsports.com.
About Hope for Henry
Hope for Henry is reinventing how hospitals care for seriously ill children and their families through innovative programs that entertain, reduce stress and empower children to be active participants in their own care. To donate, volunteer or learn more, please visit www.hopeforhenry.org.
