The partnership between the Blue Jackets and Nationwide Children's Hospital goes far beyond hockey.
For years, players and coaches have made annual visits (and several other unannounced stops) to the hospital, hoping to make a brief but impactful difference in the lives of children who just need to smile.
On Monday afternoon, the Blue Jackets — along with broadcasters Bill Davidge and Jody Shelley — packed up wagon-fuls of toys, hats and other gear and made their rounds to meet some new friends and brighten their day.
Zac Dalpe, who played his college hockey at nearby Ohio State University, said that the team's visit was a success for all parties involved:
"If we can come in and change their day in any way, that's what we're here to do. We just wanted to come and maybe get their mind off whatever it is they're dealing with for about fifteen minutes, or if we can give them a prize, or a little doll, that's what we wanted to do, and I think we did that."
The video shows Blue Jackets players visiting the oncology unit while sporting their lavender Hockey Fights Cancer jerseys.
It is so rewarding paying forward @ Nationwide Childrens Hospital. The players, Jody and I shared love and CBJ schwag w/the kids!#blesssed pic.twitter.com/BGc6w6t5Yy
— Bill Davidge (@bdavidge99) October 23, 2017
The Blue Jackets' long-standing relationship with Nationwide Children's Hospital goes beyond their visits; earlier this year, the club celebrated its ten-year anniversary of the opening of the Nationwide Children's Hospital Family Resource Center.
In 2016, team captain Nick Foligno, along with wife Janelle, donated $500,000 to Nationwide Children’s ($1 million in total with a donation to Boston Children's) in support of pediatric congenital heart care and research. Nick and Janelle's daughter, Milana, was born with a congenital heart defect, and Foligno has been a proud supporter of the hospitals (Boston Children's, as well) that helped saved his daughter's life.
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