Sidney Crosby and Mark Recchi have purchased suites at Mellon Arena
for the 2007-08 Pittsburgh Penguins season and will make them
available to numerous children's charities throughout the region.
At the Penguins' home opener on Saturday night against Anaheim,
Crosby's suite will host kids from the Make-A-Wish Foundation while
Recchi's suite will host Big Brothers/Big Sisters. Many other
children's charities will be involved throughout the season.
"We think it's very important for professional athletes to give back
to our community, and we can't think of a better way than enabling
kids who are disadvantaged or have special needs to experience the
excitement of a Penguins game at Mellon Arena," Crosby and Recchi said
in a joint statement.
"The Pittsburgh Penguins organization always has been active in
charitable and community projects, but we're especially proud that our
players have taken this step to provide unique opportunities for these
children's charities," team president David Morehouse said.
The Penguins also take part in a number of charity events involving
all the players on the team during the season – starting with the
Project Bundle-Up event on Monday, Oct. 22, when they will assist a
group of disadvantaged children in purchasing warm winter clothing.