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The New Jersey Devils will host the inaugural Devils Youth Foundation (DYF) night Friday at Prudential Center.

The Devils take on the Seattle Kraken for a 7 p.m. puck drop Dec. 6.

The night will spotlight the work of the Devils Youth Foundation, which NJBIZ profiled earlier this year, in uplifting New Jersey’s adolescents. The organization will also honor the efforts of community partners dedicated to tackling food and nutrition security across the Garden State.

Some key highlights of the evening include:

• Recognizing key community partners, such as United Community Corp., Coalition Food and Health Equity, Community FoodBank of New Jersey, Special Olympics New Jersey, YMCA, La Casa de Don Pedro, and the Boys and Girls Club of Newark
• Youth athletes from Hockey in New Jersey will walk alongside Devils players upon arrival. Meanwhile, the hallway will showcase artwork created by local youth
• Julia Rocha, a RECORD HIGH program member and DYF scholarship recipient, will perform the national anthem
• Bernardo Portela from Hockey in New Jersey will serve as “Junior Captain”
• Check presentations to New City Kids ($40,000) and Ironbound Community Corp. ($25,000) for new projects and initiatives

Additionally, Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton partnered with DYF for a custom designed shirt and hat. The items will be sold at the arena, with proceeds from those sales and the night’s 50/50 benefitting DYF. Fans can also participate in a special auction running now through Dec. 6. Featuring exclusive, unique items, proceeds also benefit the DYF.

DYF Executive Director Kate Whitman Annis described hosting the first Foundation Night as a deeply meaningful milestone for the organization and its partners who work alongside each other to combat hunger and improve nutrition security.

“This event is a celebration of their unwavering dedication, an opportunity to rally our fans around a vital cause – and a powerful reminder of what we can achieve together for New Jersey,” she said.

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