Florida Panthers host holiday party for Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital
Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov was joined by teammates Sam Reinhart, Carter Verhaeghe and Brandon Montour along with other members of the Panthers organization and visited with sick children at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood to bring joy during the holiday season.
Barkov, 28, a Boca Raton resident and Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital Foundation ambassador, interacted with patients in the part in activities at the Child Life Zone which included playing air hockey, video games, and collaborating on arts and crafts projects. The Panthers contingent took photos and shared words of encouragement with kids facing a variety of serious medical issues.
“Actually, it is nice to come home, and you may feel a little tired after practice, but then you come here and it is nice to be here and see everyone,” said Barkov, after a long road trip with the squad. “We are enjoying spending time here so much.
“This means a lot,” he said. “Being associated with Joe D for a long time, for four or five years, and every year it is getting better, I think. I enjoy coming here and seeing the kids and seeing the parents. I know it is probably not the best time for them to be here during the holidays. I think this is the best place for them to be. It is one of the best play rooms I have ever seen. Everything you need to have fun is here. It’s awesome.”
Mascot Stanley C. Panther and the Panthers Ice Dancers also joined the fun as they visited patient rooms and helped cheer up children spending time at the hospital during the holiday season.
Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital, part of Memorial Healthcare System, is one of the nation’s leading pediatric hospitals and a level one trauma center.
Visit jdch.com.