The Ducks and Honda Center in the Community

Commitment to community is one of the fundamental values of the Anaheim Ducks organization. The Ducks strive to be actively involved in the local community, ranging from outreach and fundraising events, in-kind donations, charity tickets and the dedicated involvement of the players, coaches, broadcasters, staff, Orange Alliance members, corporate partners and fans.

Under the guidance and example set forth by our owners, Henry and Susan Samueli, philanthropic support and giving is not only our responsibility as a member of the Southern California community, but something that is ingrained in the identity and culture of the team, staff, and fan base.

The mission of the Anaheim Ducks Foundation is to facilitate and support programs that produce positive change for children and families throughout Southern California by providing educational opportunities, broadening access to the sport of hockey, and addressing the health and wellness needs of our community. Through funds raised, the Ducks are able to support the Anaheim Ducks S.C.O.R.E. program, Learn to Play and inclusion hockey programs, and provide grants to a variety of local nonprofits.

S.C.O.R.E. (Scholastic Curriculum of Recreation & Education)

The Anaheim Ducks S.C.O.R.E. program offers free educational, standards-based curriculum to over 300 schools in five counties, reaching over 65,000 unique students annually. Impacting over 360,000 students since its inception in 2005, the S.C.O.R.E. program was developed to provide students access to valuable educational resources. Ducks S.C.O.R.E. provides physical education materials, science programming and school supplies while supporting teachers and educators with resources to foster a positive classroom environment, using hockey as a vehicle to teach and create opportunity.

Learn to Play

Learn to Play offers first-time hockey players the chance to get on the rink in full hockey equipment for free. Players receive instruction on the basics of hockey and skating. Participants in Anaheim Ducks Learn to Play are provided with full equipment to use for the four-week session. Since 2013, close to 20,000 children and adults have laced up their skates and hit the ice. In addition, the Anaheim Ducks Foundation provides all children who graduate from Learn to Play and sign-up for a The Rinks in-house league a complimentary first set of gear to start their hockey careers, with more than 7,000 sets being provided to date.

Inclusive Hockey Programs

In collaboration with the NHL’s Hockey is for Everyone initiative, the Anaheim Ducks and The Rinks have created a variety of programs supporting adaptive and inclusive hockey. To make sure that the sport of hockey is accessible and available to all, the Ducks adaptive hockey programs include Top Flight, which teaches street hockey, ice hockey and ice skating to individuals with intellectual disabilities; sled hockey, which is designed for physically disabled youth and adults; blind hockey which is dedicated to providing opportunities for individuals with visual impairments; and deaf/hard of hearing hockey for individuals who have been diagnosed with a hearing loss.

Anaheim Ducks Annual Golf Classic

The annual Anaheim Ducks Golf Classic presented by Honda features Anaheim Ducks players as the celebrity fifth player for a round of golf alongside Ducks fans and supporters. The Golf Classic raises funds to benefit the Anaheim Ducks Foundation.

The Anaheim Ducks Golf Classic presented by Honda offers on-course contests, along with a pre-shotgun program where event sponsors draft the Anaheim Ducks player who joins their foursome for an exciting afternoon of golf. Since 2008, the Golf Classic has raised nearly $1.3 million to benefit the Anaheim Ducks Foundation.

Anaheim Ducks Center Ice Party

Anaheim Ducks Center Ice Party stands as the team’s annual themed cocktail party that gives Ducks fans and Orangewood Foundation supporters the chance to mix and mingle, alongside Ducks players and coaches, or cheer them on during a Go Orange for Orangewood themed game.

Since 2005, $1.5 million in proceeds from the Anaheim Ducks annual Center Ice Party have gone to assist 44 Women for Orangewood, an auxiliary of Orangewood Foundation, to support college scholarships and Peer Mentor programs for former foster care youth.

Dux in Tux

Dux in Tux presented by Honda is an Anaheim

Ducks signature event where players take on the role as celebrity sous chefs, joining Orange County’s finest chefs to provide guests an evening of fabulous food and fun - all to benefit a great cause. Proceeds from Dux in Tux presented by Honda benefit the Anaheim Ducks Foundation.

The evening includes a silent auction, opportunity drawing, and live auction filled with Ducks memorabilia and unique player experiences. Dux in Tux presented by Honda is the ideal night for Ducks fans to interact with their favorite Ducks players, all while enjoying a night of fine dining, quality service and exceptional cuisine. In the 20-year history, this fan-favorite event has raised over $5.8 million to support the community.

Anaheim Lady Ducks Fashion Show Luncheon

In the spring, the Anaheim Lady Ducks - wives and significant others of players, coaches, and executive management - show off their fashion sense by hosting the Anaheim Lady Ducks Fashion Show Luncheon benefiting Children’s Hospital of Orange County (CHOC).

The event gives attendees the chance to spend the afternoon enjoying lunch with Ducks players and a fashion show featuring members of the team, their wives/significant others and CHOC ambassadors walking the runway as they show off the latest spring fashion trends. Since 2008, the Lady Ducks have fundraised over $2 million to support CHOC.

La Casa Garcia’s We Give Thanks

Honda Center and the Anaheim Ducks are proud to host We Give Thanks each Thanksgiving Day with local nonprofit partner We Give Thanks, Inc., and La Casa Garcia restaurant. This annual event at Honda Center provides a complimentary Thanksgiving dinner for local residents who might go without a meal during the holiday. For over 30 years, We Give Thanks has been serving meals to people in need, with more than 250,000 free meals being donated to the community.

More than 15,000 local residents fill the Honda Center parking lot to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal and entertainment throughout the day. Ducks players, coaches and front office staff participate with their families to serve meals and give thanks on this special Thanksgiving holiday.

Holiday Shopping Spree

Anaheim Ducks players, significant others, and staff serve as holiday helpers during the holiday season as part of the annual Shopping Spree, which provides students from The Wooden Floor - a nonprofit organization serving low-income Santa Ana youth - the unique opportunity to load up their shopping carts with necessities and gifts for their families in celebration of the holiday season. The Anaheim Ducks players, joined by the Lady Ducks, assist The Wooden Floor students as they shop for new clothes, toys, and other essentials as a special holiday treat, all underwritten by the Anaheim Ducks and Anaheim Ducks player families.

Power PLAY!

Each season, Ducks staff, Orange Alliance members and corporate partners of the Anaheim Ducks and Honda Center team up to volunteer for a day of beautification projects at local S.C.O.R.E. elementary schools. From installing a street hockey rink to painting murals, building gardens and planting trees, the Power PLAY! is a great day for the volunteers to give back to the community. Twelve rinks and counting have been gifted to local schools to help their S.C.O.R.E. programs continue to grow.

KABOOM!

On Friday, Sept. 16, 2022, the Ducks and the City of Anaheim partnered to take part in their first KABOOM! Playground Build Day. Ducks players and staff members, along with City of Anaheim staff and volunteers, built and revealed a customized Ducks-themed playground to local children in the community. The 4,300-square-foot playground design was created with input from local children, along with the help of Ducks prospects, and includes a climbing wall, a bridge, monkey bars, a circular spider web climber, spinners, bucket swings, a companion swing, a zip line, teeter-totter and game and musical panels. It is the first phase in the transformation of a grassy field located next to Anaheim City Hall into Center Greens, a new downtown park benefiting the health and wellness of kids and families in Orange County.

Staff Volunteering

The Ducks, Honda Center, ocV!BE and The Rinks employees share the Anaheim Ducks commitment to the community and throughout the year are actively engaged in assisting the community through volunteer service. From beautification projects at local schools and nonprofit organizations, supporting families in-need with gifts during the holiday season, to sharing their professional experience as a resource for those looking to get back in the workforce. Our staff are inspired volunteers always willing to do their part.

Anaheim Lady Ducks

The Anaheim Ducks wives and significant others group, the Lady Ducks, are dedicated to assisting the local Southern California community through fundraising and volunteerism. This inspired group of ladies have assisted such organizations as CHOC, The Wooden Floor and OC Animal Care.

In addition to hosting the annual Fashion Show Luncheon, the Lady Ducks have also assisted in game-night activities including the Ducks holiday activities such as the toy drives, ornament sales, Adopt-A-Family program and annual Shopping Spree as well as the NHL Hockey Fights Cancer awareness night at Honda Center.

Anaheim Ducks Alumni Association

The Anaheim Ducks Alumni Association is composed of former Ducks players who are actively involved in the Ducks community initiatives. Ducks Alumni members have participated in charitable events such as Ducks Alumni charity hockey games, serving as sous chefs at Dux in Tux and assisting with The Rinks youth hockey programs. The alumni are an enthusiastic group, looking to contribute to the community goals of the organization and provide a fantastic way for fans to interact with some of their favorite Ducks of the past.

Visits and Appearances

Each season, the Anaheim Ducks appear at a variety of community events. The Ducks make regular visits to CHOC, visit local schools as part of the team’s S.C.O.R.E. program, attend youth hockey clinics and The Rinks outreach efforts, and appear at local youth organizations, special events, charitable fundraisers and much more.

Donations

The Anaheim Ducks are dedicated to assisting charitable organizations throughout Southern California to raise funds by providing auction items for local events. Organizations interested in requesting a donation must be a 501(c)(3) agency located in Southern California. Requests must be submitted at least eight weeks prior to the date of the event online through the Ducks website: AnaheimDucks.com/DonationRequests.

Anaheim Ducks games are a terrific opportunity to feature local nonprofit organizations and highlight the needs in the community. Each season, the Ducks host a variety of activities at home games, including awareness nights for the NHL initiative Hockey Fights Cancer Night presented by UCI Health, Military Appreciation Night presented by Pacific Premier Bank, PRIDE Night, Animal Rescue & Adoption Night, Green Night, and CHOC Night. In addition, the Ducks hold toy drives throughout the month of December with Anaheim Fire & Rescue.

Launched during the 2020-21 season, the Anaheim Ducks added We Care Wednesdays to their in-game efforts. On Wednesday games throughout the NHL season, the Anaheim Ducks and Anaheim Ducks Foundation celebrate the amazing work of select nonprofit partners who make a positive impact in our community. We are proud to recognize the spirit and strength of our nonprofit partners and invite our fans to support the important services being provided to assist our community.

50/50 Raffle

The 50/50 Raffle is an exciting chance for fans to win a cash prize while also helping the Anaheim Ducks Foundation continue to expand the reach of its community programs throughout Southern California. One lucky fan receives half of the jackpot total from the raffle ticket sales that game and the other half benefits the Anaheim Ducks Foundation. The 50/50 Raffle has raised over $2 million dollars since its inception in 2016.

Surprise Puck Fundraiser

Each season, the Anaheim Ducks Foundation sells a commemorative series Surprise Puck Set, featuring four limited edition pucks with proceeds benefiting the Anaheim Ducks Foundation. Fans pick an individually wrapped puck at random and receive either a Ducks player-autographed commemorative puck or one of 23 surprise orange pucks. The lucky winners of the commemorative Surprise Puck fundraiser win a variety of great Ducks prizes.

Samueli Academy T-Shirt Design Contest

The Samueli Academy T-Shirt Design Contest tasks Design students from the Samueli Academy with a project to create an Anaheim Ducks branded t-shirt. The Samueli Academy is a project-based learning curriculum; therefore, the project was created for the students to hone their design skills, work in a group environment as well as make a formal presentation to pitch their designs.

Winners of the Samueli Academy T-Shirt Design Contest are recognized during a pre-game ceremony where their winning designs are revealed to the Ducks fans and then made available for purchase with proceeds from the sales of the shirts benefiting the Samueli Academy.

Anaheim Ducks Charity Ticket Program

Through the donations of Anaheim Ducks players, management, corporate partners, and fans, the Ducks are able to provide tickets throughout the season to charitable organizations in Orange County and surrounding areas.

These tickets are located in the Community Corner which is a section of Honda Center that was created to give families and children from local nonprofit organizations the opportunity to experience all the fun of Ducks hockey.

Launched in 2015, the Ducks began the tradition of creating a spot on their Opening Night roster for the 21st Duck to honor a fan who embodies perseverance, character, courage, and inspiration, or is making significant contributions to our community. Each fall, the Ducks receive hundreds of submissions for the 21st Duck, inviting fans to share inspirational stories of Ducks fans who have demonstrated resilience and dedication. Each season, the chosen submission is introduced as the team’s 21st Duck as part of the club’s home opener at Honda Center.

Luke Gane – 2021-22

Luke Gane became the sixth 21st Duck honoree on Oct. 13, 2021, during Anaheim’s home opener vs. Winnipeg. In 2008, before football practice, Luke Gane experienced a nosebleed that lasted over an hour. The Edison high school junior had high hopes to earn a football scholarship that year but soon found himself at CHOC hospital needing a bone marrow transplant. His diagnosis: severe aplastic anemia. Luke needed a transplant quickly and out of his four younger brothers, his youngest two (identical twins) bro thers were matches. When asked who would help their older brother, 10-year-old Jacob raised his hand just before his twin brother Noah. With chemotherapy and a successful bone marrow transplant from Jacob, Luke had a four month stay at CHOC.

With determination and great support from his family, friends and coaches, Luke returned for his senior year in high school as a starter on the football team. He was able to help his team to an undefeated regular season and went on to play on the UCLA football team as a preferred walk-on.

Now, Luke, a special education teacher at Westminster High School, jumps at the chance to encourage and inspire CHOC patients. To this day, his doctors will call him to speak to new patients with similar diagnoses and their families to provide words of encouragement and inspiration. He is also a supporter and advocate for the Aplastic Anemia Foundation (AAMDS).

Luke has been a Ducks fan since he was three years old. He loved wearing his Paul Kariya jersey everywhere and played inline hockey throughout his childhood, even inspiring his brothers and his father to take up the sport as well. Today, Luke continues to play ice hockey in a recreational league at The RINKS where his team won the league championship at Anaheim ICE last year. He loved it when the Ducks players would visit him during his CHOC stay and has remained a steadfast supporter of his favorite hockey club.

Angelique Fong – 2020-21

Angelique Fong became the fifth 21st Duck on Jan. 18, 2021. Angelique is a two-time cancer survivor and mentor to cancer patients. Seven weeks after marrying the love of her life, Angelique, was diagnosed with breast cancer at age 39. Despite no symptoms, she had started on a cycle

of mammograms and MRIs at the age of 35 because her mother was a two-time breast cancer survivor.

Already familiar with Susan G. Komen Orange County because of her mother’s fight against cancer, Angelique served as a mentor to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients, volunteered at their free mobile mammography unit, and was a spokesperson at fundraising events. She turned her passion for running into a purpose: she has run over 40 half marathons and three marathons and counting, including a 48-mile challenge over four days twice, dedicating each mile to fellow cancer warriors.

Five years after winning her first battle, Angelique received the news that her breast cancer returned in April 2019 despite a double mastectomy. After three surgeries, Angelique created a “Radiate Kindness” initiative, including 33 random acts of kindness, one for each of her radiation treatments, to turn her radiation treatment into an opportunity to help others. Gestures ranged from monetary donations to her favorite causes; in-kind donations- homemade blankets to fellow cancer patients and children at CHOC, pet supplies to OC Animal Care, donating books to the library; and payit-forward surprises at the drive-thru window.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Angelique was unable to be introduced during the home opener of the 2020-21 season, but the team flipped the script on her. On Feb, 17, 2021, the Ducks players, coaches and staff sat in the Honda Center seats and surprised Angelique with a standing ovation as she was introduced and walked out onto the ice for the first time.

As a longtime season ticket holder, Angelique credits the Ducks with being an important part of her life and throughout her cancer journey. Because of her perseverance and bravery, Angelique was honored with the Susan G. Komen Orange County 2019 “Most Inspirational Breast Cancer Survivor” Award.

Lera Doederlein – 2019-20

Lera Doederlein was introduced as the fourth 21st Duck at Honda Center on Oct. 3, 2019.

Born in Russia and adopted at the age of 21 months, Doederlein wore leg braces and used crutches most of her life due to being born with a condition called Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (in both legs). After several surgeries and facing life in a wheelchair, Doederlein decided to take control of her mobility in 2017 and elected to have a double aboveknee amputation. She was just 14 years of age at the time. Lera became dedicated to finding and creating her own way in sports as a bilateral amputee, as well as advocating and serving as an ambassador for adaptive sports.

Not long after her surgery, Lera was shown the sport of sled hockey at a sport amputee clinic and quickly fell in love with the game. Originally from Arizona, Lera began playing for the Arizona Coyotes sled program, and in 2018, she moved to San Diego where she joined the San Diego Ducks Sled hockey team. Beginning on the youth team, she served as a mentor to her teammates through her leadership, kindness and passion for the sport and scored 10 of the team’s 19 goals in leading the team to the USA Hockey Disabled Hockey Festival’s national championship.

Lera serves as a featured athlete for the Challenged Athletes Foundation, which provides opportunities and support to people with physical challenges, so they can pursue active lifestyles through physical fitness and competitive athletics.

In 2022, Lera represented Team USA at the Paralympic Winter Games in Beijing. She participated in the Sprint Biathlon, Middle-Distance Biathlon, Sprint Cross-Country, Middle-Distance Cross-Country.

Michael Lu – 2018-19

Michael Lu became the third 21st Duck when he was introduced at Honda Center on Oct. 8, 2018. A dedicated Ducks fan since 1993, Michael was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at 28. He plans on not only finding a cure for Parkinson’s, but to inspire others that this disease is solely just a disease. Parkinson’s is a part of him, but it does not define him.

Michael was raised playing roller and ice

hockey since age four in the Jr. Ducks program. He continued playing locally until his diagnosis in 2017. Even though he cannot play at the level he once did, he continued to work as a hockey instructor in the Ducks Learn to Play Program where he helped grow children’s hockey skills and love for the game.

Michael earned a master’s degree in Educational Psychology to counsel children with disabilities. Michael is optimistic and hopeful about life and his journey with Parkinson’s. He works with the nonprofit organization Parkinson’s Resource Organization as a member of the Board of Directors and is making it his mission to take his diagnosis to help raise awareness for Parkinson’s to find a cure.

Katie Hawley – 2017-18

Katie Hawley became the second 21st Duck on Oct. 5, 2017, when she was introduced at Honda Center. Katie has been battling neuroblastoma since the age of nine, a rare childhood cancer. Katie had defeated cancer twice and endured countless surgeries, chemotherapy sessions, radiation treatments, scans, and blood transfu sions. When Katie was diagnosed with cancer for the third time in December 2016, her spirits were low, and she told her parents that she did not want to fight anymore. Katie was given tickets to attend a Ducks game with her family. She credits watching that game and her favorite player, Rickard Rakell, as a key to reenergizing her drive to beat the disease.

Katie not only continues to fight the disease, but she also inspires others. Katie is a Courageous Kid with the Jessie Rees Foundation, a nonprofit organization ensuring that every child fighting cancer has the support to “Never Ever Give Up!” She has also helped raise awareness through the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation’s 5K run, the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life and has created her own way to give back to patients in need through S.O.S., Stuff Our Slippers.

As part of her 21st Duck experience, Katie joined the team for practice to prepare for her Opening Night skate onto Honda Center ice - joined Rickard Rakell on the pre-game Orange Carpet - and then was led out onto the ice by Rakell and Corey Perry for player introductions, where she told them both to score goals that night. Perry had two goals in the game, and Rakell broke a 4-4 tie with the eventual game-winner late in regulation.

Kai Quinonez – 2015-16

Kai Quinonez is the inaugural 21st Duck. He was introduced to a sold-out crowd during the Ducks home opener on Oct. 12, 2015, at Honda Center through the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Orange County and Inland Empire. A youth hockey player, Kai was diagnosed with aplastic anemia when he was nine, and through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, he was afforded the opportunity to practice with the Ducks and join them for the home opener.

Kai was originally granted a day with the team and took part in a practice with Ducks players but was surprised by the club in what was the start of an inspiring new tradition. Kai, then 13 years old, arrived for Opening Night to walk the Orange Carpet with his favorite player, Hampus Lindholm. Kai skated out onto the Honda Center ice during the player introduction and was introduced as the 21st member of the Ducks for the 2015-16 season.

As part of his Make-A-Wish, Upper Deck surprised Kai by unveiling his very own Upper Deck Young Guns rookie card during the game at Honda Center in front of his family and fans in attendance. With a dream to play hockey, Kai played in multiple seasons for Los Alamitos High School in the Anaheim Ducks High School Hockey League from 2017-19.