Latest news with #JaneGaudreau
Toronto Sun
01-08-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Gaudreau family raises more than $500,000 for accessible playground
Published Aug 01, 2025 • 3 minute read FILE - Jane Gaudreau, mother of hockey players Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, who were fatally struck by a motorist while riding bicycles, poses for a portrait at Archbishop Damiano School in Westville, N.J., Wednesday, April 9, 2025. Photo by Matt Rourke / AP The first 5K held in the memory of John and Matt Gaudreau helped raise more than $500,000, enough to break ground later this year on an accessible playground at the special education school where the hockey players' mother works. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Thousands attended the Gaudreau Family 5K Walk /Run and Family Day in May at Washington Lake Park in southern New Jersey, a place John and Matthew went hundreds of times as kids and around the corner from Hollydell Ice Arena, where they started playing hockey. The 5K drew more than 1,100 participants in the walk, along with more than 1,100 virtually in the U.S., Canada and around the world. From money raised in the walk, along with contributions made in memory of John and Matt, the financial goal was met for the planned accessible playground at Archbishop Damiano School, where Jane Gaudreau and her daughter Kristen work. It was a cause John and Matthew had begun to champion in honour of their grandmother Marie, who spent 44 years at the school and died in 2023. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Groundbreaking is scheduled for late August/early September, with Oct. 4 tentatively set for the start of a community build. After a brief scare of a tornado watch the night before, the 5K went off without a hitch. 'Because of the rain, we had so many people we thought might not show up,' Gaudreau said. 'But I felt like it was such a great turnout. So many people asked us if we're going to do it again next year. It's just such an outpouring of love and care, so much for the boys in our family.' To answer the question, yes: The next Gaudreau Family 5K Walk is tentatively scheduled for May 16, 2026. The Gaudreau brothers — John played 10 full seasons in the NHL with Calgary and Columbus — were killed last August on the eve of their sister's wedding when they were hit by a suspected drunken driver while riding bicycles in their home state of New Jersey. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The playground initiative was launched by principal Michele McCloskey in October 2020. Raising the necessary funds over the last five years had been a slow build. So many friends from the hockey world and others now inspired by the brothers and the cause have since rallied around the effort. 'We heard so much from everyone how much they appreciated everything (the brothers) did for the community, and so they turned around and helped us out,' Gaudreau said. 'We heard a lot of nice stories, a lot of people were just so generous, just wanting to be there for our family and whatever they could do to keep John and Matty's legacy alive, which is what we wanted from the playground and to go forward from here.' The Gaudreaus and the staff at Archbishop Damiano threw themselves into fundraising for a modern playground that allows for everything from basic wheelchair accessibility to ramps and transfer platforms for the students. Students tacked their wish list for the playground to the walls inside the school. The 5K event also included an online memorabilia auction that stretched beyond hockey, with all proceeds donated toward the playground effort and its original $600,000 goal. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The new area for the playground has been staked out, and the equipment has been ordered, yet there is still work ahead. The Gaudreaus and the school needed everything from 175 tons of crushed concrete to beach sand to other construction materials to complete the project. 'It's just planning out our community build, which we'll need assistance on,' Gaudreau said. Archbishop Damiano School was founded in 1968 for children with Down syndrome and now provides services for 125 students with special needs from ages 3 to 21. Jane Gaudreau's brother attended the school, and their mother worked there. Jane was hired in 1984 and is still a finance associate. Kristen, the older daughter, has taught at the school for almost two decades. Katie, the younger daughter, who got married in July, used to assist with the kids when she could, and the two Gaudreau boys volunteered at the school when they weren't playing hockey. Celebrity Toronto & GTA Toronto Blue Jays Columnists Ontario
Time of India
29-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
'John and Matty would be so proud': Annual Gaudreau Family 5K Run/Walk memorializes NHL sensations Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau
Johnny Gaudreau (via Getty Images) The memory of NHL sensation Johnny Gaudreau and his brother, now-retired professional hockey player Matthew Gaudreau, will be honored this weekend in a unique way with the first-ever Gaudreau Family 5K Run/Walk and Family Day in Sewell, New Jersey. The celebration— scheduled for Saturday at Washington Lake Park—already sold out its in-person registration in just three weeks. There is still virtual participation available for people who wish to come from afar. Family day in honor of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau benefits school for kids with special needs First annual 5K run/walk in honour of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau Johnny Gaudreau and Matthew Gaudreau were known for their sporting achievements, and both brothers volunteered at Archbishop Damiano School growing up — the same school their mother, Jane Gaudreau, has worked at for more than 40 years. The community event is designed to celebrate the Gaudreau family's long-standing ties to South Jersey while raising money for something near and dear to their hearts: constructing an inclusive playground at Archbishop Damiano School in Westville, Gloucester County — a school that has been molding the Gaudreau family for generations. The event will feature far more than the 5K run/walk. There will be face painting, yoga classes, a live deejay, food booths, and a silent auction packed with unique sports memorabilia. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top Public Speaking Course for Children Planet Spark Learn More Undo Raffle baskets have been donated in excess of 75 as well for the event. The timing of the incident adds an extra emotional punch for the Gaudreau family. One day before their sister's wedding last August, Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau were hit by a suspected drunken driver while riding their bikes in Salem County. Sean Higgins, 44, is being charged in the incident. 'We wanted to do something that would be fun for the children, for everybody,' their mother, Jane Gaudreau said. 'We have face painting, and there's going to be yoga, there's lots of food, and there's over 75 raffle baskets.' Jane Gaudreau added that Saturday's event is not only fundraising but also appreciation. 'My brother, who has special needs, started school there back in the '70s, and my mom went up with him, and she also taught there,' she said. 'I would have to take my lunch at the end of the day. I would pick them up around a little after 2 and then bring them to my work. They would volunteer at my work until my oldest daughter was finished, or I was finished, and we would go home from there. There's so many people that really helped us that we really haven't had a chance to thank. It's just phenomenal the way this committee has just worked so hard to do this in honor of the boys. I know John and Matty would be so proud.' Also read: 'There are days I can hardly get out of bed': Jane Gaudreau shares emotional Instagram story remembering With the community behind the project, this fall will see ground broken on the new adaptive playground — a testament to the lasting legacy of the Gaudreau family. Get IPL 2025 match schedules , squads , points table , and live scores for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Check the latest IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap standings.
CTV News
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Run to honour Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau
Jane and Guy Gaudreau will tell us about the 1st Annual Gaudreau Family 5K Run Walk and Family Day Event taking place next weekend
CBS News
23-05-2025
- CBS News
Matthew and Johnny Gaudreau's family closer to reaching goal for NJ playground brothers wanted built
Gaudreaus plan Family Fun Day in NJ to benefit playground Johnny and Matthew wanted to build Gaudreaus plan Family Fun Day in NJ to benefit playground Johnny and Matthew wanted to build Gaudreaus plan Family Fun Day in NJ to benefit playground Johnny and Matthew wanted to build One South Jersey community is preparing to come together to celebrate the lives of Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, the brothers who were killed by a suspected drunk driver in Salem County last August. The first Gaudreau Family 5K Run, Walk and Family Fun Day is set for the end of May, and the Gaudreau family is hoping for a big turnout. The Family Fun Day takes place May 31 at Washington Lake Park in Washington Township, Gloucester County, and promises food, games, face painting, dance performances and raffles. Johnny and Matthew's mother, Jane Gaudreau, stopped by CBS News Philadelphia to talk about the event. Jane said it's meant to celebrate her sons' lives and their commitment to give back to their community. The Gaudreau family will honor that mission by directing all event proceeds to the creation of an adaptive playground at Archbishop Damiano School in Westville, New Jersey. Dancers from Jane and Katie Gaudreau's All Star Dance studio perform in CBS Philadelphia's Great Hall. "The boys loved children, the boys loved fun," Jane says. "Archbishop Damiano School is a place where the boys had volunteered before, and it's a big part of our family life." ADS is a nonprofit school that provides services to more than 135 students with disabilities. The current playground at the school is crumbling and not accessible to all students. The school community is also a second family for the Gaudreaus. Jane has worked at the school for more than 40 years. John and Matthew volunteered there as kids. And even as a superstar in the NHL, John never forgot his roots: he started fundraising for the playground years ago. ADS is getting closer to raising the $600,000 needed for the adaptive playground. Jane says the school recently secured several more sizable donations. Dancers from Jane and Katie Gaudreau's All Star Dance studio perform in CBS Philadelphia's Great Hall. CBS News Philadelphia The Gaudreau family also says the upcoming event is a way to thank the community for its support. Katie Gaudreau, Johnny and Mathew's sister, joined her mother at CBS News Philadelphia. Dancers from Katie and Jane's All Star Dance studio will perform during the event. They visited our Great Hall during our morning shows to bust a move. "They really have been there for our entire family this year," Katie said. "I'm just so thankful for them, and I'm excited to celebrate them and everything they've done for us." The Gaudreau Family 5K Run, Walk and Family Fun Day will take place at Washington Lake Park on May 31, from 8 a.m. until noon. The run and walk are already sold out, but the Family Fun Day is free and open to all. There is also a sports memorabilia auction benefiting the playground and featuring several signed hockey jerseys, including an autographed Johnny Gaudreau NHL All-Star Game jersey and a signed Flyers jersey. You can find more information, including the event schedule and sponsorships, on A rendering shows how a new adaptive playground could look at Archbishop Damiano School in New Jersey. CBS News Philadelphia
