On February 13th, the New York Rangers hosted their annual “Casino Night,” the team’s largest fundraising event of the year benefiting Garden of Dreams.
This year’s event was outfitted with the beloved traditional programming such as mixing and mingling with current players, casino games, and a VIP reception, as well as some new twists – including a live auction for an original piece of artwork by Rangers Captain Jacob Trouba that sold for $25,000!
That incredible contribution, along with all other proceeds from the evening, will go directly to the Garden of Dreams Foundation to support our work bringing life-changing opportunities to deserving young people.
In fact, two of those young people and their families were present at Casino Night themselves – Elisha, a Garden of Dreams Talent Show alumni from Make-A-Wish New Jersey, wowed the crowd with a performance of “This is Me” from The Greatest Showman, and Emma, a longtime member of the Garden of Dreams family from partner New York Presbyterian, represented the Foundation on stage alongside her parents. Emma’s mother spoke on behalf of Garden of Dreams and shared the impact the Foundation has had on her daughter and their family, including bringing Emma a shopping spree and adaptive skating lesson with Rangers legend Henrik Lundqvist, gifting the family a cruise, and most recently, surprising Emma with an adaptive bike at Rangers Garden of Dreams Night 2023.
The lasting joy and hope that Garden of Dreams brings to these families was felt by every person in the room at Casino Night 2024, and their incredible generosity helps ensure that the Foundation can continue this meaningful work for many more children and their families in the future.