23rd Annual "Skate with the Greats" Event Featuring Rangers Legends Raises More Than $800,000 for Ronald McDonald® House New York
New York Rangers Alumni Lend Star Power to Annual Fundraising Event Which Benefits Home Away from Home for Families Battling Pediatric Cancer
NEW YORK, Feb. 27, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- On Friday, February 24, New York Rangers' Hall of Fame Hockey legends took the ice for the 23rd annual "Skate with the Greats" event at Rockefeller Center. The highly attended, celebrity-studded event was held in support of the Ronald McDonald House of New York, which provides a refuge for families and children who are battling pediatric cancer. Employees from the Ronald McDonald House, families the House supports and star-struck NHL fans had the opportunity to skate alongside celebrated NHL players and alumni, in support of the House's mission.
Rod Gilbert and Brian Leetch, New York Rangers' Hall of Famers and founding team members of the "Skate with the Greats" event, have supported the Ronald McDonald House New York since 2006. In addition, the New York Rangers organization and the Garden of Dreams Foundation have been generous advocates for raisings funds and awareness, as well as providing long lasting experiences for the children of Ronald McDonald House.
"Skate with the Greats" was made possible thanks to premier global investment bank RBC Capital Markets – the lead sponsor of the event. This represents the eighth consecutive year that RBC Capital Markets has sponsored this event.
Dr. Ruth Browne, President and CEO of the Ronald McDonald House New York said, "What a great family and fun-filled event to kick off the New Year. It was made possible thanks to the generous and continued support from RBC and our partner organizations, as well as the attendance of the legendary Rangers' players." She continued, "The funds raised will help us to support our current and future Ronald families. Recently, we held the grand opening of the new Brooklyn Family Room at King's County Hospital, and we are continuing to expand our New York House from 84 rooms to 95 rooms. It is because of events like these that we can continue to provide so many services for our families. We hope to continue this fantastic event for many years to come."
Bobby Grubert, Managing Director at RBC Capital Markets, commented on the continued success of the program, "RBC has a longstanding partnership with Ronald McDonald House New York and we are honored to sponsor 'Skate with the Greats' for an eighth consecutive year." Grubert added, "Helping our clients thrive and communities prosper is our company's purpose and we are delighted to raise awareness and provide support for pediatric cancer patients and their families. We appreciate the support from the Rangers and all of those who joined."
Additional sponsorship for "Skate with the Greats" came from Bloomberg Philanthropies, Zurich, AIG, PwC, Garden of Dreams Foundation and Mutual of America.
More than 1,000 people attended the event that took place at The Rink at Rockefeller Center where guests partook in skating, food and great music. A live, silent auction also provided event attendees the chance to take home sports memorabilia that was signed by the New York Rangers' Hall of Famers.
If you're interested in learning more about the Ronald McDonald House New York, please visit the website www.rmh-newyork.org.
About Ronald McDonald House New York
Ronald McDonald House New York provides temporary housing for pediatric cancer patients and their families in a strong, supportive and caring environment which encourages and nurtures the development of child-to-child and parent-to-parent support systems. Ronald McDonald House New York is the largest facility of its type in the world. The House can accommodate 84 families, and it is filled to capacity almost every night. The House's location in Manhattan, in close proximity to 19 major medical and cancer treatment centers, draws children and families from across the country and the world, as well as from the metropolitan New York City area. Since its founding, more than 35,000 families have stayed at Ronald McDonald House New York. For more information, visit www.rmh-newyork.org.
About RBC Capital Markets
RBC Capital Markets is a premier global investment bank providing expertise in banking, finance and capital markets to corporations, institutional investors, asset managers and governments around the world. We serve clients from 70 offices in 15 countries across North America, the UK, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Our more than 7,400 professionals deliver the experience and insights required to raise capital, access markets, mitigate risk and acquire or dispose of assets for clients worldwide. We are consistently ranked, by third-party sources, among the 10 largest and most significant investment banks globally.
RBC Capital Markets is part of a leading, diversified provider of financial services, Royal Bank of Canada (RBC). Operating since 1869, RBC is one of the largest banks in the world and the fifth largest in North America, as measured by market capitalization. With a strong capital base and consistent financial performance, RBC is among a small group of highly rated global banks. For more information, visit https://www.rbccm.com/en/ .
About the Garden of Dreams Foundation
The Garden of Dreams Foundation is a non-profit organization that works with The Madison Square Garden Company and MSG Networks Inc. to positively impact the lives of children facing obstacles. The Foundation works with 28 partner organizations throughout the tri-state area, including hospitals, wish organizations and community-based organizations, to reach children who are facing challenges such as homelessness, extreme poverty, illness and foster care. Since it began in 2006, Garden of Dreams has used the magic of these two companies – which include the Rangers, Knicks, Liberty, Rockettes, famed showplaces and two sports and entertainment television networks – to brighten the lives of more than 325,000 children and their families. The Foundation takes pride in its commitment to truly change lives, hosting more than 500 event and programs each year. In addition, through its Garden of Dreams Giving program, the Foundation helps its partner organizations meet the critical needs of the children they serve, including through direct support of scholarships and tangible, targeted community projects. For more information on the Garden of Dreams Foundation, visit www.GardenofDreamsFoundation.org.
About the New York Rangers Hockey Club
The Madison Square Garden Company (MSG) is a world leader in live sports and entertainment that presents or hosts a broad array of world-class events – including concerts, sporting events, family shows and special events – in an unparalleled mix of celebrated venues that span four of the nation's largest entertainment markets. Those venues are: New York's Madison Square Garden, The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall and Beacon Theatre; the Forum in Inglewood, CA; The Chicago Theatre; and the Wang Theatre in Boston. In addition, MSG has a diverse collection of properties that includes some of the most widely-recognized sports franchises: the New York Knicks (NBA), the New York Rangers (NHL) and the New York Liberty (WNBA), along with two development league teams -- the Westchester Knicks (NBADL) and the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL). The Company also features popular original entertainment productions -- the Christmas Spectacular and New York Spectacular – both starring the Radio City Rockettes, and through Boston Calling Events, produces outdoor festivals, including New England's premier Boston Calling Music Festival. More information is available at www.themadisonsquaregardencompany.com
Media Contact:
Ronald McDonald House New York
Alexandra Schrecengost
212.445.8108
[email protected]
SOURCE Ronald McDonald House New York
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