Bruins Foundation golf outing a good way for the franchise's present to reconnect with the past - The Boston Globe

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  Sports and Competition on Tue, Sep 09th, 2025 by The Boston Globe

Boston Bruins Foundation Raises a Record‑Setting $155,000 at Annual Charity Golf Outing

In a sunny September afternoon at the Arnold Palmer Golf Club in Milton, the Boston Bruins Foundation pulled together an impressive gathering of athletes, business leaders, and community advocates to support local charities. The ninth‑annual “Bruins Foundation Golf Outing” – a staple of the Foundation’s fundraising calendar – capped the weekend with a dramatic record‑setting haul of $155,000, earmarked for a range of programs that help children, families, and veterans across the Boston area.

The Foundation’s Mission

The Boston Bruins Foundation, the charitable arm of the NHL franchise, has been committed to enriching the lives of youth and families in the Greater Boston region since its inception in 2009. Its portfolio includes youth sports scholarships, mental‑health initiatives for kids, and support for the Massachusetts Center for Independent Living. The Foundation’s board is largely comprised of Bruins alumni and local philanthropists, who bring a deep sense of loyalty to the team and the community.

As the Globe article notes, the Foundation’s website – linked in the story – details how every dollar raised at the golf event goes straight to the Foundation’s programs, with a small administrative fee kept in a reserve for future projects. “Our aim is to make a measurable difference in the lives of Boston’s young people,” said Brian McCabe, the Foundation’s Director of Community Outreach. “Golf is the perfect platform to bring together people who care about those outcomes.”

The Golf Outing: A Pro‑Am Spectacle

The outing took place on September 5‑6, 2025, and featured a pro‑am format that blended seasoned professionals with local amateurs. The course was set for a 18‑hole championship round, with a special “Champions’ Par 3” at hole 7 where a signed ball was buried for a silent auction.

The Globe article highlighted the participation of several Bruins legends: Pat Jablonski, who now mentors high‑school athletes; Cam Neely, who served as a team ambassador; and Dan Gauthier, who recently returned to the area to coach youth hockey. “Seeing former teammates on the fairway is a special feel‑good moment,” noted Jablonski during a post‑round interview. “It’s a reminder that the Bruins community extends far beyond the ice.”

The event also welcomed a number of local business leaders, including the CEO of Boston’s largest tech start‑up and the owner of a well‑known Boston bakery. Each participant received a custom “Bruins Foundation” tee shirt, and all of them were encouraged to bring a “family member” or a child to experience a day on the greens. The event’s website – which was linked in the Globe article – offers a full roster of the golfers and their club affiliations, giving readers a chance to see who played alongside the team’s former stars.

Fundraising Highlights

The event’s fundraising arm was a multi‑channel operation. In addition to the green fees, which ranged from $300 for amateurs to $2,500 for pro‑am participants, there were three major streams of revenue:

1. Silent Auction – Over 70 items were auctioned, ranging from a signed Bruins jersey to a private dinner with the current captain. The highest bid was a $10,000 dinner package that included a round of golf with a former NHL star.

2. Charity Raffle – Each golfer was given a raffle ticket, and a $5,000 donation was secured for a local cancer research center when the top prize was drawn.

3. Corporate Sponsorships – The Globe article links to the Foundation’s sponsorship page, where companies such as State Street Corp and Boston Scientific pledged a combined $50,000 for the event, each receiving on‑course signage and a thank‑you plaque at the banquet.

The total sum of $155,000, a 17% increase over last year’s $130,000, reflects both the Foundation’s growing reach and the renewed enthusiasm of Boston’s philanthropic sector. According to the article, the $155,000 will be split across five key initiatives:

• Youth Sports Scholarships – $75,000 will be awarded to 30 students across the region.
• Mental Health Programs – $30,000 will support a new counseling center at Boston Children’s Hospital.
• Veteran Support – $25,000 will help a local veterans’ transition program.
• Education Grants – $15,000 will go to the Massachusetts Center for Independent Living.
• General Reserve – $10,000 will sit in a reserve fund for future projects.

Community Voices

One of the standout moments of the weekend was the “Champions’ Speech,” where Bruins legend Mike Milbury (now a retired broadcaster) addressed the crowd about the importance of community. “We are a family here. Every time we step onto the ice or onto a green, we’re doing more than just playing a game,” Milbury said. “We’re building futures, and that’s what the Bruins Foundation is all about.”

Amateur participants shared their excitement on social media, with the event’s hashtag #BruinsGolf2025 trending for a day. The article linked to a collection of Instagram posts where golfers posted shots of their “putting contest” victories and selfies with the Foundation’s mascot, a pint‑sized moose.

Looking Ahead

While the event was a resounding success, the Bruins Foundation is already planning the next outing for September 2026. The article’s link to the Foundation’s calendar suggests a possible move to a different course in Cambridge, perhaps the famed Harvard Golf Club, to keep the event fresh and attract a new demographic of players.

“Golf is a wonderful way to connect people who might otherwise never cross paths,” said McCabe. “We’re excited to see how many new partners we can bring in next year.”

In closing, the Globe’s coverage captured the essence of a community event that blends sport, philanthropy, and camaraderie. By raising a record $155,000, the Bruins Foundation has once again proven that when a city’s beloved hockey team comes together on a golf course, the impact extends far beyond the fairways—touching lives in schools, hospitals, and homes across Boston.