Bruins SO(Photo Credit: NHLBruins)

By: Evan Michael | Follow me on Twitter @Evan007onTV

As part of the team’s “B-Inclusive” initiative both on and off the ice, the Boston Bruins Foundation announced a $1 million partnership with the MA Special Olympics for the upcoming season and beyond. According to the press release, the donation will be spread out over the next 3 years and will help “educate fans on the impressive work that Special Olympics Massachusetts is doing in the community, and most importantly, the incredible talent and determination demonstrated by the athletes.”

“This marks the largest donation by the Boston Bruins Foundation to date.” — NHL.com

The announcement was timed to coincide with the team’s annual charity golf fundraiser, which I featured in a recent Black N’ Gold Blog post about how the Bruins franchise has made a lasting impact on the city, community, and region as a whole, especially the foundation. At that early September tournament, Special Olympics athletes with be honored through a ceremonial tee shot with a member of the B’s (my guess is Patrice Bergeron). Speaking of golf, you can show your drive for the team by hitting the on-the-links link in the tweet below from our blog Editor-In-Chief @BlackAndGold277:

“The [Boston Bruins] Foundation’s mission is to enhance the quality of life for children in numerous capacities.” — NHL.com

The team and foundation’s press release also mentions that many MA Special Olympics athletes will be on hand for the B’s home opener at TD Garden against the Senators. “The athletes in attendance will partake in an array of experiences such as bench assistants, **high-five lines, and ice resurfacer rides. The Bruins will continue to highlight Special Olympics athletes in game throughout the season,” it mentions. So as I like to say in my “Mark Your Bruins Calendar” articles (Parts I, II & III are “highlighted” here), highlight Monday, October 8th, 2018 on the schedule!

**The Bruins “high-five line” became a national and international story of heart, humor & humanity in 2014 when little Liam Fitzgerald representing the Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress (MDSC) brought a smile to everyone in attendance, especially the players & bench staff, when he fist bumped the boys in Black N’ Gold as they came off the ice to head down the B’s locker room tunnel.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZVzu_qUwoZQ]

After that unforgettable experience (which was shared thousands upon thousands of time across social media, major TV networks and news affiliates, and countless sporting/trade publications) Liam became known as the @fistbumpkid. The rest is Bruins history!

Speaking of which, he went out of his way to show support on Twitter for the Boston Bruins and their foundation after hearing the historic news about the Special Olympics partnership.

There’s no better way to “B-Inclusive” than that!

BInclusive(Photo Credit: Boston Bruins Foundation)