Latest news with #GaudreauBrothers
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Hundreds gather for Gaudreau Family 5K run/walk
The Brief Hundreds turned out in a powerful tribute Saturday morning as the community came together for a heartfelt 5K run honoring the legacy of the Gaudreau brothers. The brothers were fatally struck by a car while they were riding their bikes in Oldmans Township last year. The driver was allegedly under the influence at the time of the accident. SEWELL, N.J. - Hundreds gathered to honor the two brothers killed while cycling in Salem County last year at the Inaugural Gaudreau Family 5K Run, to help raise funds for a playground for kids with disabilities, in honor of the pair. The backstory "This is great, we are bringing the hockey community and the running community together here in South Jersey and Philadelphia to celebrate Johnny and Matthew," said Dave Welsh, a local business owner and organizer of the event. Last year, Matthew and Johnny Gaudreau's lives were abruptly taken away after they were hit and killed by an alleged drunk driver as they were riding their bicycles in Salem County, New Jersey. Both pillars of the hockey community, with Johnny, taking his talent to the NHL. Big picture view "When you first heard this tragedy that occurred, it was so riveting and overwhelming, that anything that we could possibly do to help, we were right on board. We are big hockey fans, we loved everything about this event so, we figured we're gonna do it," says one of the participants. A chance for the community to come together to support the brothers, their family, and the overall cause, which was to raise funds to build a playground at a school in South Jersey for children with disabilities, in honor of the Gaudreau brothers. Gillian Kocher, who helped put on the event says, "This playground that they are building through the proceeds from this will be a kind of lasting impact. It will impact generations to come at Archbishop Damiano. I know that John and Matty really loved kids, they were personally involved in the school as well so, I think it really gives their family some comfort, that we can continue to do things that they would have done and do it in their honor."
Time of India
5 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
NHL players and fans rally in Gaudreau brothers' 5K as family turns grief into purpose
Thousands of people gathered at Washington Lake Park in Sewell, New Jersey, to honor John Gaudreau and Matthew Gaudreau. The two brothers tragically died in a bike accident in August 2024. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Named the Gaudreau Family 5K Walk/Run, the occasion paid tribute to their memories and raised funds for a deserving charity close to their hearts. Community Comes Together to Remember the Gaudreau Brothers Washington Lake Park in Sewell, New Jersey drew tens of thousands of visitors. Held in memory of John Gaudreau and Matthew Gaudreau, the event was the first-ever Gaudreau Family 5K Walk/Run and Family Day. Late August 2024 saw the deaths of the siblings in a sad accident. Riding bikes the day before their sister Katie Gaudreau's wedding, they were struck by a driver. The Gaudreau family and the hockey world were greatly impacted by the loss. More than 1,100 attendees in person and over 1,300 others virtually joined from throughout the United States, Canada, and other countries including Ireland and Sweden attended the event. NHL players who were close friends of the Gaudreau brothers also came to show their support. Brady Tkachuk, captain of the Ottawa Senators, attended along with Erik Gudbranson, Tony DeAngelo, Zach Aston-Reese, and Buddy Robinson. 'I think it speaks to them as a family,' Brady Tkachuk said at the event. 'Everybody loved being around them.' Also Read: A Sign from the Sky and a Legacy of Giving The night before the event, Jane Gaudreau, mother of John and Matthew, sat in their room and asked for a sign from her sons. The next morning, a rainbow appeared, just an hour before the sun came out. 'I was so relieved,' Jane said on Saturday. 'I was like, 'Well, there's my sign.'' The event not only honored the brothers, but also helped raise funds for a cause they cared about. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Jane and her daughter Kristen Gaudreau both work at Archbishop Damiano School. John and Matthew had supported the idea of building a new accessible playground there in memory of their grandmother Marie Gaudreau, who passed away in 2023 after 44 years of service at the school. Family friend Deb Vasutoro started the idea for the 5K to support the project. 'It was the perfect way to honor the boys and help the children,' she said. Reverend Allain Caparas from Gloucester Catholic High School, where the brothers played hockey as teens, spoke at the event. 'They're still making a difference,' he said. Thousands wore hockey gear and shared photos on social media from Columbus, Calgary, and beyond. Jane Gaudreau said she hopes to hold this event every year.
