Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins Make 10,000th Wish and Other Dreams Come True
When eight-year-old Jacob of Connellsville, Pa., wished to be a Pittsburgh Penguin for a day, the 
team went out of its way to make his dream come true. Jacob, whose wish was the 10,000th wish for our chapter, got star treatment from the moment he arrived at Mellon Arena. Not only did he get to sign a contract with General Manager Ray Shero, but he was also presented with his own jersey and had a press conference. During the Penguins' practice that day, Jacob even got a shot past goalie Marc-Andre Fleury with the help of his new teammates.
Fulfilling Jacob's wish is not the only way the Pittsburgh Penguins have brought joy to children with life-threatening medical conditions. The Penguins donate time, money and energy to our wish kids. The team granted two other wishes this year: Taylor's wish to meet Sidney Crosby and Dean's wish to play hockey with Mario Lemieux. Dean, 14, considers Mario an inspiration because he also overcame cancer. Dean's dream came true as he received a one-on-one lesson from the hockey legend and got to watch his favorite team practice for their upcoming game against the Atlanta Thrashers.
Each season, the Pittsburgh Penguins also hold many events and fundraisers to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation. For more than two decades, the Penguins have thrown an annual autograph party for our wish kids and their families. At the event, which is by far our most popular wish kid event, the children watch the team practice and have lunch, take photos with and get autographs from their favorite players. This past February, wish kids also got the chance to bowl with the 2009 Stanley Cup champions at the first ever Pens & Pins bowling tournament. The event, sponsored by the Pittsburgh Penguins Wives & Girlfriends Association, raised more than $25,000 for the Foundation. The Penguins also contribute funds from their Jumbotron message sales, and team star Sidney Crosby donates tickets for his private box to wish families.
The Make-A-Wish Foundation is grateful for the support of the Pittsburgh Penguins. We could not make wishes come true without you! Thank you!
For more information on purchasing commemorative pucks of the Penguins' Stanley Cup win from Nikco Sports, please click here.
Spot Says… For the second year in a row, our Make-A-Wish chapter has received a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, showing sound fiscal management and responsibility.
Shauna, 14, Carribean Cruise
