This already happened this morning, but it’s worth noting, per the Red Wings:
“Red Wings Play Zone” to be unveiled at Children’s Hospital of Michigan
Ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:30 a.m. featuring Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard and leadership teams from Ilitch Holdings, Children’s Hospital of Michigan and Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation to officially open 1,700 square foot outdoor play zone
DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings and the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation will unveil the Red Wings Play Zone located at the Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit (3901 Beaubien St., Detroit) on Wednesday, April 25 with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 11:30 a.m.
The state-of-the-art outdoor play area, which is located on the southwest corner of the hospital, measures more than 1,700 square feet and will provide a safe and fun escape for Children’s Hospital of Michigan patients and their families. The Red Wings Play Zone is ADA-accessible and will offer an outdoor setting for patients’ rehabilitation programs.
Wednesday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony will be highlighted by patients, families and staff playing with the new equipment, in addition to appearances by Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard, Ilitch Holdings, Group President for Sports and Entertainment Chris Granger, Children’s Hospital of Michigan CEO Luanne Thomas Ewald, and Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation President & CEO Lawrence J. Burns.
The Children’s Hospital of Michigan all-inclusive Red Wings Play Zone includes the following features: a custom 8-foot tall by 10-foot wide Al the Octopus sensory structure, a SmartPlay® tree house with a slide, a Cozy Dome® quiet space, and poured-in-place rubber safety surfacing branded with the Red Wings’ iconic Winged Wheel logo.
In partnership with the Children’s Hospital of Michigan and the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation, the Red Wings Play Zone was made possible thanks to donations to the Red Wings Wish Club, which allows fans to submit a special message to be displayed on the video board during Red Wings’ home games by donating to the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation.
Since 1995, the Red Wings Wish Club has raised more than $400,000 for the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation, and has covered the costs of the Family Center adjacent to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, rehabilitation equipment and MRI goggles to help patients reduce anxiety when undergoing an MRI screening.
Additionally, the Red Wings support the Children’s Hospital of Michigan with various programs throughout the year, including the annual donation of children’s toys and gifts through the SNOWPILE program and the full-team holiday visit to the hospital.
The Red Wings Play Zone was formerly located inside the lobby of the Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit, but was moved to accommodate hospital renovations.
Children and their families are encouraged to use the hashtag #RedWingsPlayZone and #ExplorePlayImagine, when posting photos on social media of the Red Wings Play Zone.
For additional information on the Red Wings Wish Club or to make a donation, visit www.DetroitRedWings.com/WishClub.
