Foundation Works With The Madison Square Garden Company and MSG Networks
to Bring Joy to Children Across The Tri-State Area
The week will feature: Dedicated Knicks and Rangers Game Nights Featuring
Once-In-A-Lifetime In-Arena Experiences; Distribution of 100 Tablets to area hospitals;
and An Unforgettable Afternoon with the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall
New York, NY (November 28, 2016) – The Garden of Dreams Foundation is coming together with The Madison Square Garden Company (MSG) and MSG Networks to host the third annual Garden of Dreams Week. From November 28 – December 2, children from across the tri-state area will enjoy once-in-a-lifetime experiences, including becoming honorary members of the Knicks and Rangers and participating in game-night activities, and learning choreography from the world-renowned Rockettes. The week will also feature the distribution of 100 tablets to partner hospital organizations, made possible by a grant from Garden of Dreams to the enCourage Kids Foundation. Additionally, MSG and MSG Network will hold a Day of Service for employees.
Garden of Dreams works with MSG and MSG Networks to help children facing obstacles such as homelessness, extreme poverty, illness and foster care. Since it began in 2006, the Foundation has used the magic of these two companies – which include the Rangers, Knicks, Liberty, Rockettes, famed showplaces and two sports and entertainment television networks – to brighten the lives of these deserving children. In addition, through its Garden of Dreams Giving program, the Foundation helps its partner organizations meet the critical needs of the children they serve, including direct support through scholarships and tangible, targeted community projects.
Fans coming to The Garden to watch the Knicks on November 28 and the Rangers on November 29 will witness for themselves the talent and bravery of the Garden of Dreams children, who will sing the national anthem, act as guest PA announcers and perform musical numbers. Before each game, there will be a ceremony honoring one of the Foundation’s children as they become honorary Knicks and Rangers players and coach, respectively, for the evening.
On Wednesday, November 30, Garden of Dreams will celebrate the distribution of 100 tablets to partner hospitals including NYU Medical Center. Through a grant provided to the enCourage Kids Foundation by the Garden of Dreams’ Giving Program, children being treated in partner hospitals across the tri-state area will receive tablets, which come equipped with various apps to both entertain and educate pediatric patients. Rangers and Knicks legends Rod Gilbert and John Starks as well as the Rockettes will be on hand to deliver a portion of the tablets donated to children being treated at NYU Medical Center on Wednesday, November 30.
Throughout the week, employees of MSG and MSG Networks will help support these many events and, on December 2, will take part in an Employee Day of Service. On this day, volunteers will work alongside Knicks, Rangers and Liberty legends and the Rockettes to help make it a warmer and more joyful winter for families from the Foundation’s community-based organizations.
Outlined below is a complete itinerary of events for the week:
Monday, November 28
New York Knicks Garden of Dreams Awareness Night
• One special child from Garden of Dreams will be recognized as an honorary Knicks player for the game.
• Children will be given the opportunity to participate in every aspect of the in-game experience – from singing the national anthem to performing musical numbers to serving as a guest announcer.
Tuesday, November 29
New York Rangers Garden of Dreams Awareness Night
• One special child from Garden of Dreams will be recognized as an honorary Rangers coach for the game.
• Children will be given the opportunity to participate in every aspect of the in-game experience – from singing the national anthem to performing musical numbers to serving as a guest announcer.
Wednesday, November 30
enCourage Kids Tablet Celebration at NYU Medical Center
• Garden of Dreams will celebrate the distribution of 100 tablets to partner hospital organizations through a grant provided to the enCourage Kids Foundation. Rangers and Knicks legends Rod Gilbert and John Starks and the Rockettes will deliver tablets to pediatric patients at NYU Medical Center on Nov. 30.
MSG Networks Knicks Telethon
• MSG Networks will host an on-air fundraiser during the Knicks-Timberwolves telecast to generate awareness and raise funds for the Foundation with Knicks items and experiences to be auctioned off.
Thursday, December 1
Children from Garden of Dreams will participate in a private Rockettes dance class at Radio City Music Hall
• Children will get to the opportunity to learn some choreography from the famed dancers themselves.
MSG Networks Rangers Telethon
• MSG Networks will host an on-air fundraiser during the Rangers-Sabres telecast to generate awareness and raise funds for the Foundation with Rangers items and experiences to be auctioned off.
Friday, December 2
The Madison Square Garden Company and MSG Networks “Day of Service”
• Employees will work alongside the Rockettes, and Knicks, Rangers and Liberty alumni to help make it a warmer and more joyful winter for Garden of Dreams children and families.
About The Madison Square Garden Company
The Madison Square Garden Company (MSG) is a world leader in live sports and entertainment with a portfolio of legendary sports teams, exclusive entertainment productions and celebrated venues. MSG Sports owns and operates some of the most widely recognized sports franchises: the New York Knicks (NBA), the New York Rangers (NHL) and the New York Liberty (WNBA), along with two development league teams — the Westchester Knicks (NBADL) and the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL). MSG Sports also presents a broad array of world-class sporting events, including: professional boxing, college basketball, tennis, bull riding and e-gaming events. MSG Entertainment features exclusive, original productions that include the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and New York Spectacular Starring The Radio City Rockettes. MSG Entertainment also presents or hosts a wide variety of live entertainment offerings, including concerts, family shows and special events, in the Company’s diverse collection of iconic venues. These venues are: New York’s Madison Square Garden, The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall and Beacon Theatre; the Forum in Inglewood, California; The Chicago Theatre; and the Wang Theatre in Boston, MA. More information is available at www.themadisonsquaregardencompany.com