We all know of José's commitment to helping the NICU of Children's National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. and the infants and their families who spend time there through his Saves for Kids charity (begun in memory of their son Chace who spent his 54-day life there in the summer of 2009.)
But this article shows he was doing what he could to help kids years before that, when he was playing for Montreal.
Theodore renews commitment to kids in need
Friday, 21.10.2005 / 12:00 AM / News
Montreal Canadiens
MONTREAL - As he did for the past two seasons, Canadiens goaltender Jose Theodore has made a commitment to the Montreal community and the Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation by offering a suite to underprivileged and sick children.
Through this initiative, Jose will give children the opportunity to attend Canadiens games at the Bell Centre over the next three seasons. "My belief is that the suite is a step towards making a difference in the lives of underprivileged children. This a place where they can get together, have fun, laugh and, I hope, experience an unforgettable evening."
Jose and girlfriend Stephanie Cloutier will have the opportunity to meet the children on occasional game nights. "Our mascot Youppi! also promised me he will drop by the suite every game", said the goaltender.
Since its inauguration in the fall of 2002, nearly 500 children have benefited from Jose's generosity, including young patients from Sainte-Justine Hospital as well as the Montreal Children's Hospital. Moreover, many organizations working with sick and underprivileged children from all areas of the province of Quebec were able to, and will continue to have access to the suite.
Jose Theodore's suite greeted its first guests of the 2005-06 season at the Canadiens home opener against the Ottawa Senators, on Tuesday, Oct. 11. This Saturday (Oct. 22), the suite will welcome Jérémy Gabriel and his friends from « l'cole oraliste » in Quebec City. This gifted hearing impaired eight-year-old will fulfill his greatest dream: to sing the national anthem before the game at the Bell Centre.
The Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation helps underprivileged, sick and special needs children by contributing financial resources in the fields of poverty, health, well-being and amateur sport. Since its inception in 2000, the Foundation has donated over $2.8 million to charitable endeavors therefore financially supporting hundreds of non-profit organizations from all across the province of Quebec.
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José has said in interviews that Stephanie and he love children and would like to have more (their daughter, Romi, was born in March 2006.) Unfortunately they are not sure if they will be able to. Their 2nd pregnancy ended in a miscarriage 7 months in, and their son Chace passed away after only 54 days due to an undetermined respiratory problem after premature birth. Romi was also premature and had respiratory problems, but is fine now.
This is from a March 2010 Washington Post article:
Appointments with specialists have continued during the season. On a trip in November, Theodore left the team for a day so that he could be with Stephanie for an appointment with a noted geneticist in Arlington. The couple's daughter, Romi, who turns 4 in March, also suffered from complications due to a premature birth.
"We love kids and we want a big family," he said. "But what we went through was really hard. So we want to put the odds on our side. Right now, we're trying to find answers."
I wish José and his family all the best.
Through this initiative, Jose will give children the opportunity to attend Canadiens games at the Bell Centre over the next three seasons. "My belief is that the suite is a step towards making a difference in the lives of underprivileged children. This a place where they can get together, have fun, laugh and, I hope, experience an unforgettable evening."
Jose and girlfriend Stephanie Cloutier will have the opportunity to meet the children on occasional game nights. "Our mascot Youppi! also promised me he will drop by the suite every game", said the goaltender.
Since its inauguration in the fall of 2002, nearly 500 children have benefited from Jose's generosity, including young patients from Sainte-Justine Hospital as well as the Montreal Children's Hospital. Moreover, many organizations working with sick and underprivileged children from all areas of the province of Quebec were able to, and will continue to have access to the suite.
Jose Theodore's suite greeted its first guests of the 2005-06 season at the Canadiens home opener against the Ottawa Senators, on Tuesday, Oct. 11. This Saturday (Oct. 22), the suite will welcome Jérémy Gabriel and his friends from « l'cole oraliste » in Quebec City. This gifted hearing impaired eight-year-old will fulfill his greatest dream: to sing the national anthem before the game at the Bell Centre.
The Montreal Canadiens Children's Foundation helps underprivileged, sick and special needs children by contributing financial resources in the fields of poverty, health, well-being and amateur sport. Since its inception in 2000, the Foundation has donated over $2.8 million to charitable endeavors therefore financially supporting hundreds of non-profit organizations from all across the province of Quebec.
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José has said in interviews that Stephanie and he love children and would like to have more (their daughter, Romi, was born in March 2006.) Unfortunately they are not sure if they will be able to. Their 2nd pregnancy ended in a miscarriage 7 months in, and their son Chace passed away after only 54 days due to an undetermined respiratory problem after premature birth. Romi was also premature and had respiratory problems, but is fine now.
This is from a March 2010 Washington Post article:
Appointments with specialists have continued during the season. On a trip in November, Theodore left the team for a day so that he could be with Stephanie for an appointment with a noted geneticist in Arlington. The couple's daughter, Romi, who turns 4 in March, also suffered from complications due to a premature birth.
"We love kids and we want a big family," he said. "But what we went through was really hard. So we want to put the odds on our side. Right now, we're trying to find answers."
I wish José and his family all the best.
Fun story. Youppi is adorable as a mascot (unlike Slapshot and the current Screech here in Washington.)
ReplyDeleteI agree about Youppi. I didn't know his story until I looked it up. For those who don't know, he was the mascot of the Montreal Expos before they moved to D.C. after the 2004 season. But in 2005 the Canadiens announced he would be their official mascot, and first appeared at a game at the Bell Centre on Oct. 18, 2005. He's the first mascot to ever switch from a MLB team to an NHL team. And also the only MLB mascot to be thrown out of a game. ;o)
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