Metro: Boston Bruins Foundation Connects Team With Community

This story originally appeared in the Boston Metro newspaper's Bruins season preview section.
BOSTON - Since the Boston Bruins Foundation was created in 2003 by the Jacobs family, it has been dedicated to developing and improving children's lives, encompassing the four main areas of academics, athletics, community outreach, and health. Focusing on these areas of children's lives creates a solid foundation, a strong support system, and ultimately leads them to be impactful members of the New England community.
To accomplish these goals, the Boston Bruins Foundation works closely with the Bruins organization to orchestrate events in the community that promote the pillars of the Foundation.

The Boston Bruins BFit initiative, launched in January of 2017, encourages movement and promotes healthier living throughout New England. Boston Bruins Director of Health, Fitness & Wellness John Whitesides, helped develop the initiative. Whitesides and the Bruins utilize their expertise in professional strength and conditioning, nutrition, and physical therapy, to bring fitness to everyone in the community.
Executive Director of the Boston Bruins Foundation, Bob Sweeney, is very excited about the possibilities that the BFit initiative presents.
"Whether it's just training kids to eat healthier and exercise, or to incorporate the first responders, which is a big part of the BFit initiative, I think there are endless possibilities," Sweeney said.
The First Annual First Responder Challenge presented by National Grid occurred on Jan. 22 at TD Garden. The event invited local first responders from all over New England to participate in the rigorous course. On Feb. 28, Boston Bruins CEO Charlie Jacobs presented a check for $130,000 from the First Responder Challenge to the 100 Club of Massachusetts, which provides financial support to the families of fallen heroes.

In February, the Bruins and the Foundation also announced the launch of their Green Up New England Challenge in partnership with Project Green Schools and Wal-Mart. The initiative strives to develop Green Student Leaders in schools across New England. In 2017, schools competed in categories such as energy reduction, waste reduction, water reduction and best green sports practices.
Sweeney credited Project Green Schools Director and Founder, Robin Organ, for her hard work on the event.
"Robin Orgon with Green Schools, she has added a new element," Sweeney said. "We had an opportunity to partner with Wal-Mart and Green Schools, and it was a no-brainer. To see what some of these kids do in the schools, it's pretty impressive, especially at a young age."
Sweeney also discussed the importance of current and former Bruins players teaming up with the Foundation to connect with members of the community.
"I think it's important to have some events where our fans can have interaction with our players," Sweeney said.
Fans had that opportunity at the annual Boston Bruins Foundation Golf Tournament on Sept. 11 at The International in Bolton, Mass.
"We had a sold-out field again," Sweeney said. "We integrate the alumni with the current guys and it's a good format, our fans seem to love that."

If you didn't get a chance to participate in the golf tournament, be on the lookout for an upcoming season kickoff event to be announced in the near future. It will be an opportunity for fans to connect with current players and coaches.
If you are interested in making a contribution to the Foundation, you can send a check payable to the Boston Bruins Foundation and deliver to:
Boston Bruins Foundation
100 Legends Way
Boston, MA 02114
For more information, visit
BostonBruins.com/Foundation
.