Flames Foundation Unveils Memorial Donations
The Calgary Flames Foundation has unveiled memorial donations for the late Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. The brothers, who were tragically killed by a drunk driver on August 29, 2024, have been in everyone's hearts this season.
Last week, the Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Calgary Flames played on Nov. 29 in Calgary. Tonight, they play again in Columbus, where the team will likely honour them.
Related: Gaudreau's Family To Attend Blue Jackets vs. Flames Game Nov. 29
Over the weekend, the Flames Foundation unveiled what they did with the donations that were left at the Gaudreau's memorial outside the Saddledome.
With the 229 hockey sticks that were donated, benches were made in honour of Gaudreau and presented to the family while they were in attendance for the Flames and Blue Jackets game.
They announced that the first bench for Johnny was made of up to 27 sticks and has a plaque on it that reads "In Loving Memory of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau."
A total of 229 sticks from the Gaudreau memorial outside the Saddledome were used to make benches that will be donated to local arenas in Calgary ❤️
The first bench, made of 27 sticks, was unveiled with the Gaudreau family in attendance 🥹
📸: @EricFrancis pic.twitter.com/ggZgITlJDY— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) December 3, 2024
The rest of the sticks that were donated were used to make benches for local hockey arenas around Calgary.
Today, the Gaudreau family was on hand for the delivery of the first bench made from the sticks left at the Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau memorial, which has been placed at the #Flames Community Arenas ❤️ pic.twitter.com/nHgUW2LJjD
— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) December 3, 2024
The Flames Foundation also has a 60/40 draw, that include three-game worn Gaudreau jerseys from the pregame warm-ups as early bird prizes.
We have three player-worn Gaudreau jerseys from tonight's warm-ups as early bird prizes in our REMAX 60/40 draw!
Get your tickets now for a chance to win: https://t.co/GviHWsk1So pic.twitter.com/yHkXjdZbOd— Flames Foundation (@FlamesFdn) December 3, 2024
The 124 jerseys that were left at the Gaudreau brothers' memorial, have been made into quilts and donated to local charitable organizations.
124 jerseys were left at the Johnny & Matthew Gaudreau memorial, which were laundered and are being used to design quilts that will be donated to local charitable organizations ❤️ pic.twitter.com/GDwhAvWGdJ
— Flames Foundation (@FlamesFdn) December 2, 2024
Next up, the 103 stuffed toys that were left at the memorial, they were donated to the Parachutes for Pets organization.
103 stuffed toys were left at the Johnny & Matthew Gaudreau memorial, which will be donated to @ParachutesP for their Lily & Dexter's Legacy Program ❤️ pic.twitter.com/kHfRKOXLpB
— Flames Foundation (@FlamesFdn) December 2, 2024
The 1600 purple sports drink bottles that were left at the memorial were emptied, and the bottles were donated to the KidSports Calgary recycling program. Johnny was a supporter of KidSports Calgary, and not only donated to the program, he was also an acting ambassador of it.
1600 purple sports drink bottles were left at the Johnny & Matthew Gaudreau memorial, which were emptied and donated to the @KidSportCalgary recycling program.
Johnny was a supporter of KidSport Calgary, acting as an ambassador and donating to their Goals For Kids program. pic.twitter.com/mo7zfoHriP— Flames Foundation (@FlamesFdn) December 2, 2024
Lastly, the 105,563 Skittles that were left at the memorial were tallied up to $13,723 (13 cents per Skittle) and were donated to the Calgary Food Bank, which will provide 130 families with hampers for Christmas.
Many, many bags of Skittles were left at the Johnny & Matthew Gaudreau memorial and we pledged to donate 13 cents to the @CalgaryFoodBank for every single Skittle.
With 105,563 Skittles, that totalled to a $13,723 donation, which will provide hampers for 130 families. pic.twitter.com/iNXkNfn47f— Flames Foundation (@FlamesFdn) December 2, 2024
This is an absolutely outstanding gesture by the Flames organization and the Flames Foundation!
Rest Easy, Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau!