Red Wings forwards Dylan Larkin, Tyler Bertuzzi and Anthony Mantha visisted Goodrich, Michigan to lend a charitable hand to Oaktree Elementary School on Tuesday, as noted by MLive’s Kaitlynn Sullivan…
Detroit Red Wings players visited Oaktree Elementary School on Tuesday, Sept. 11, to see students and make a donation to the Playworks Program. The $3,500 donation will go toward Playworks’ nation-wide initiative to help children stay active during recess through constructive play and exercise.
“The donation is going to Playworks to continue their work so other schools can have the same opportunity to improve how recess is done for other kids and hit on more than just the academics, but leadership, group collaboration, those important things that we learn on the playground and are important for the rest of our lives,” said Jasan Bryan, principal of Oaktree Elementary School.
They made their names playing hockey, but members of the Detroit Red Wings spent Tuesday with their eyes on another goal.
Players from the hockey team came to Oaktree Elementary in Goodrich to teach them about teamwork and fair play.
“Important thing that we’re trying to teach them is everyone has a fair role in life and in sports, and those two go hand in hand and you can learn a lot of life lessons in sports,” Dylan Larkin said.
“When they all high-five each other whether they did good or bad. It’s about sharing, it’s about caring, it’s about everyone being together and having fun,” Tyler Bertuzzi said.
And ABC 12’s Andy Chambo:
“If I look at my 5th graders, they’ve had a smile on their face since they’ve got here this morning asking when the players were going to be here so it’s an exciting day for everyone,” said Jasan Bryan, who is the principal of Oaktree Elementary.
The Red Wings players stopped by Oaktree Elementary in Goodrich late Tuesday morning on their way to Traverse City for training camp. And they got to spend time playing games with the kids.
“It’s big,” said Bertuzzi. “They support us on the ice every night. So when we can give back to the communities you know go around for an hour or so and just share stories and activities and stuff. It’s fun.”
The program was put on to share the benefits of Playworks.
“Playworks is the leading national non-profit leveraging the power of play to bring out the best in every kid,” said Angela Rogensues, the executive director of Playworks.
