In an NHL Network appearance on Thursday, Zucker explained how he and Carly partnered with Ducks forward David Backes and his wife Kelly - along with numerous other members of the NHL family - to create mini Christmas trees and fill holiday boxes with some of their favorite items for
a charity auction
.
The fundraising idea first came when David and Kelly, who founded the charity Athletes for Animals, wanted to help families who are having trouble keeping up with their pets' expenses because of the pandemic.
"So they contacted Carly to help out, and decided to team up with #Give16," said Jason, who was awarded the King Clancy Memorial Trophy in 2019, which is given to the player who best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution to his community.
Proceeds from the auction are going to both Athletes for Animals and #Give16, the ongoing fundraising campaign to benefit the Zucker Family Suite and Broadcast Studio at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital that Jason and Carly established while he was a member of the Minnesota Wild. It's a place where kids and their families can go to watch Wild games, record their own TV shows and escape from their rooms.
However, instead of the proceeds from this auction going directly to that space, Jason and Carly will be using it to provide games, toys and arts and crafts for patients at the hospital because all items there are currently single-use due to COVID-19.
"So you can't claim a toy and put it back in the toy room," he said. "And none of the kids are allowed to leave their rooms. It's a really tough time for them. So, we're trying to make sure that they have as many supplies and games and toys as they can have, especially around the holidays, and just give them a little bit of fun and excitement while they're there."
Zucker was heartened by the support from the hockey community, particularly his peers, who couldn't help but get a little competitive when it came to making bids. Bruins forward Brad Marchand put in the highest one at $1,300, while Wild defenseman Jared Spurgeon came in second and the Zuckers were third.
In addition to that, Zach Parise, Erik Haula, Nic Dowd, Marcus Foligno and Nick Bjugstad all provided trees and boxes.
"The hockey community is such a tight-knit group and they're always happy to help anytime," Zucker said. "So, it's greatly appreciated."
(Note: while the auction closed on Dec. 6, fans who want to know the full story behind #Give16 and support the fundraising campaign can purchase gear like hats and shirts from the #Give16 2020 Collection on UNRL.co. Click here to learn more).
Typically, at this time of year, Zucker is right in the middle of the season. This is the first time in his life that not only has he been off around the holidays, but gotten such an extended period of time with his family.
"I've been able to cherish this time with my kids," Zucker said. "My oldest (Sophia) is 10, and my two young ones (Hendrix and Stella) are 3 and almost 2 now. So it's been great to just chase them around and see the two young ones especially grow up a little bit more, and help my oldest daughter with school."
That being said, Zucker is looking forward to reuniting with his Penguins family at some point in the future and continuing to build that locker room chemistry.
"I didn't get the time that you typically get to bond with your teammates, to go to dinners and do all those things because everything got shut down pretty quick after I got out there," he said. "But they're a great group of guys, they've been really good about including me in all the different things we did in the bubble or prior to the entire shutdown. So, they're a great group. I'm excited to get back with them. And we're really looking forward to this year."
