Ryan Hartman's signing for Gigi's Playhouse Fundraiser
Former 2013 NHL 1st Round Draft Pick of Chicago Blackhawks, Ryan Hartman, gave back to the local hockey community where he developed his skills and work ethic in becoming an NHL Hockey Player. Spanning Hartman's five seasons in the NHL, he has logged 89 points, a plus 13 rating, 218 penalty in minutes (PIM), 357 hits, and 112 blocked shots in 245 career NHL games to date. In July, Minnesota Wild's General Manager, Paul Fenton, agreed to terms with Ryan Hartman on a two-year, $3.8 million contract. Hartman grew up in West Dundee and played youth hockey throughout the Chicago Suburbs.
Tuesday night, Ryan Hartman gave back to the local community by volunteering his time from 5pm-8pm for an autograph signing appearance hosted at Bar Down Sports Grill in Hoffman Estates to benefit GiGi's Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Centers, headquartered in Hoffman Estates. GiGi's Playhouse is the only international network of brick-and-mortar Down Syndrome Achievement Centers in the world and is growing at a rate of 35% annually; there are 46 Playhouse locations nationwide and by 2021 they expect to have over 100 Playhouse locations across the globe. GiGi's Playhouse offers over 30 innovative programs that serve the unique needs of individuals of all ages with Down Syndrome, all at zero cost to families. With over 200,000 free program participation hours annually, they help participants thrive through signature programming which includes: speech and language development, social-emotional development, fine and gross motor development, academic support, health and wellness, and career skills. GiGi's Playhouse programs are purposeful, progressive and celebrate meaningful gains rather than developmental milestones; which often come later or in a different order for children and adults with Down syndrome.
Voluntary donations were made by guests attending the event, Ryan Hartman and Bar Down Sports Grill matched the donations to help offset cost. You can reach Executive Director, Nancy Binger, from Gigi's Playhouse for future donations at nbinger@gigisplayhouse.org.
Bar Down Sports Grill would like to thank GiGi's Playhouse and their Hugs + Mugs Studio Café located in Hoffman Estates for providing complimentary frozen gelato for guests, Paulson Press, Inc. in Elk Grove Village for providing 8"x10" glossy photos for signing; and lastly, we want to thank Ryan Hartman for his generous donation of his time and money to an inspiring cause.